FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 



43 



of showy colors, and the inflorescence is rendered more conspicuous by 

 the large and often brilliant floral bracts. TiUandsla is by far the 

 largest genus, and the only one represented in the United States, al- 

 though the long moss [^TlIIands/M usneoides) is sometimes considered, 

 and with good reason, the type of a distinct genus. All the Tilland- 

 sias are epiphytic. 



Besides the pineapple [Ananas Ana7ias) which is important as an 

 article of diet, this family supplies several important fibre plants. 

 Travellers to Porto Rico will probably observe the pinguin (Promelia 

 Pinguin) which is commonly used as a hedge plant, and yields a juice 

 locally employed in medicine. Many other genera are in greenhouse 

 cultivation as ornamental foliage plants. 



Fk;. Hy. -SpiiDish moss {TU/a>i(l'<i(i uninoi/ifx) y^owiiiK on live ouk at Tampa. F^lurida. After 

 photograph by Mr. G. N. CoUins. 



