Family: Bromeliaceae
A Brazilian bromeliad of somewhat pendant habit, perennial only indoors or in tropical climates. The slender, reedlike, drooping leaves are deep green with gray fuzz, slightly spiny on the edge. Yellow flowers and cone-shaped red fruit drip from slim stems. The over-all effect is open and airy, an eye-catcher for special decorative purposes in house or greenhouse.
Since it is naturally epiphytic (grows in the air), this is a striking plant to add variety to the inhabitants of a bromeliad tree. It also adapts nicely to hanging baskets in a warm, sunny window, or outdoors in mild climates.
Cultural requirements include full sun, high humidity, warmth. It will grow in a humus-rich soil mixture, or in fiber like osmunda, either of which should be thoroughly moistened as soon as it dries thoroughly, in summer. Keep the plant slightly more dry in winter.
Bromeliads are easily propagated by removing suckers that come up from the base of the plant. These need not be separately rooted, if the air is humid, but can be planted immediately in pot or basket. Remove the lower leaves before planting.
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