Under The Jakfruit Tree

This week focuses on two terrestrial bromeliads. When you talk about bromeliad plants, most people get an image in their heads of plants growing high up in the trees. The reason for this, is the majority of bromeliads are in fact epiphytes. That is, a plant growing on another plant.

However, in the cases of Aechmea blanchetiana (The Orange Bromeliad) and Alcantarea imperialis (The Imperial Bromeliad), both of these species naturally grow directly in the ground in full sun. In fact, The Orange Bromeliad will lose its orange leaves if it gets shaded too much. The Imperial Bromeliad is the largest bromeliad species, reaching 5 feet across and its flower spike can reach 8 feet tall. This bromeliad is endemic to Brazil.

Richard Lyons Nursery has both of these bromeliads in stock.