This Bromeliad is a Florida native. It is one of 16 Bromeliads native to my state and one of the 10 considered threatened or endangered.His name is Tillandsia Fasiculata also known as the Cardinal Air plant.
He is an epiphytic plant which is a fancy word meaning he likes to grow on other plants. He is not a parasite and gets nourishment from the air and water he collects in the central tank formed by his leaves. He attaches to other plants only to hold on and anchor himself.
He flowers with the red spikes with violet tips seen in the above picture.
The Cardinal Air plant is able to withstand long dry periods. It will have a smaller plant and brighter flower in the full sun or a larger plant in the shade.
Like most Bromeliads it has pups as can be seen in this picture as the light green offshoots.
It is beneficial to the Florida ecosystem as many small animals and insects use its tank or the stored water as a source to drink and hide in.
This plant was started from a parent plant I found growing in a Cedar tree in my front yard several years back.
It is endangered by the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil which had wiped out quite a lot of native Bromelaids here in Florida.
It is also endangered by dwindling habitat and illegal collecting.
I think where ever you live it is good policy to propagate the native species of your area. They might not be as pretty or flashy as some other plants but they sure deserve your consideration.
------------------------------------------------sanddune------------------------------------
I don't think I've ever seen one bloom. Even as a kid growing up in Lauderdale. But I can remember them growing on roofs (terra cota) laden with pine straw in the shade of ficus trees.
ReplyDeleteYou are opening my eyes to plants I took for granted (as weeds).
Jim,
ReplyDeleteThe Bromeliads attatched to the trees was one of the first things that stood out to me when I first came to South Florida and the Everglades. I have been interested in them since then. Mine bloom perhaps once a year with the bloom lasting for several months.
Well said, Sanddune! Where I live now, these tillandsia are EVERYWHERE!!! Kind of nice to live in an area where such tropical foliage is the norm!! I have numerous in my own yard..love it!
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