(Pina silvestre, Pinuelas, Chiras, Wild Pinapple) The term "bromeliad" is a simplification of the scientific name Bromeliaceae, which covers any member of the pineapple family. There are about 2,000 species here in Guatemala which include tillandsias. All bromeliad flowers have 3 petals, 3 sepals, 3 floral bracts, 2 whorls of stamens consisting of 3 each and a 3-celled ovary. As time has gone on there has been a need to divide the Bromeliaceae family into three sub-families. They are: Pitcairnioideae, Bromelioideae and Tillandioideae.

Tillandsias are epiphyte air plants, a subspecies in the Bromeliad family that grow on trees, rocks, walls, and generally where ever they can grab hold. Their roots serve only to give the plants a firm anchor to whatever they are growing on. All of their moisture and nutrition is absorbed through their specialized leaves.

From my understanding, the tillandsias differ from other bromiliads in that they grow in sunnier areas and their leaves possess tiny scales, properly called trichomes, that serve two major functions. First, they assist the plant in absorbing water and nutrients by holding greater amounts of water against the leaf surface for a longer period of time. Second, they help to reflect the intense sunlight off of the leaf surface that can be so common in the rainforest. These trichomes are what give many of the air plants their characteristic gray color.

It is often easy to determine the growing requirements a given plant needs by the appearance of the plant itself. Those that have a dense covering of scales on their leaves are most probable from an area with bright light and little water. Whereas a plant with more glossy leaves is most likely from an area of lower light and higher humidity.

Once again I am at a loss with many of these varieties so if you can help me out please contact me at kevinlock2001@yahoo.com. Thanks!

I'm not sure of the name of this one yet. I found it in Livingston and brought it home.

I have a lot of work to do in this section as far as identification of these. There are only 2,000 varieties to choose from and try to identify from pictures unless I can contact an expert to help me.

GOOD question!

Still looking for information on this one. I can't identify it yet so if anyone knows the name of this one please let me know.

Pineapple

(Ananas comosus)

(Pina) Members of the monocot family Bromeliacase, which consists primarly of small epiphytic species, often called "air plants". There is a wild species centered in South America with small fruits but what we recognize as a pineapple is domesticated and not found in the wild. It may have originated in the Amazon of Panama basin, but by the time Columbus arrived, it was already cultivated widely throughout the Americas.

To learn how to grow your own, go to the Kid's Stuff page.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to take a picture of this in its native habitat. It fell off the tree and I rescued it. I don't know what type it is, but if you click on the image you can see what it developed into.

Tillandsia bulbosa

These are one of my favorites because they are so strange. The curly leaves are similar to the striped version "butzi". They should be mounted horizontally or upside down to prevent rot. They bloom here in late January.

I have seen this plant with two different colorings and that seems to depend upon the amount of sun that reaches the plant.

Tillandsia Ionantha

Deepending upon where they take root ewill depend on whether you will see this bright red display of red leaves. Unbelievable when you DO see them like this though.

Tillandsia Limbata

These are BIG tillandsias! The flowers are not too exotic, but the stem as in most is red.

Tillandsia chaetophylla

This variety has long grassy leaves that hang from the sides of the trees.