BROMELIACE^. 



269 



ANANASSA, Lind. (Pineapple.) Inflorescence densely strobiliform. 

 Calyx ;}-parte(l ; petals 3. Stamens G; style 1, 3-parted. Fruit a 

 spike of densely packed berries, and fleshy l)racts, forming a conical- 

 shaped body from 6 to 12 inches long and 3 to 6 inches in diameter, 

 crowned with a tuft of leaves. 



A. sativa, Sclmlt. (Pineapple.) Stem wanting, the flower-stalk springing 

 from the midst of a tuft of radical leaves which are larger than the leaves 

 that crown the fruit, armed with sharp, hooked teeth, curving upwards and 

 tipped with a strong, sharp spine, lanceolate and fleshy. 



There are numerous native sports, iu a wild state. The ]>Uiut, when not 

 under cultivation, ripens seed, from which varieties are produced, which when 

 found to be good are brought under cultivation. 



Ananassa sativa (Pineapple). 



The principal varieties under cultivation are as follows, varying in size and 

 (piality of the fruit ; Hipley, Knville, Prickly Cayenne, Smooth Cayeuue, 

 Providence, Charlotte Kothscliild. 



These are the favorite varieties grown in the British West Indies. 



Geograp/tij. — The cultivation of tlie pinea])i)le was at one time confined to 

 one of the islands of the Baliama group (Eleuthera), and neighboring islets ; 

 but it is now spread to all the tropical regions wliere civilized man has taken 

 up his abode. It is the only important fruit which cannot l)e traced to Asia 

 as its home. Now the southern shores of the T^astern Continent, the fields of 

 eastern Africa, the isles of the Pacific, as well as the tropical regions of 

 .Vmerica, all give place to this interesting and delightful ])roduct. In India il 

 has escaped from cultivation, grows and proi)agates itself in the jungles, and 

 has liecome thoroughly naturalized. 



Eti/mologi/. — Linnanis named the pineapi)le Bvomdia, in honor of < »laf 

 liromel, a Swedish botanist. IMie name ananassa was given by Thuuberg. 

 from the Peruvian name nana. Satira, the specific name, signifies " planted," 

 or "sown." The names of varieties are for the originators or their friends, or 

 from some (pinlitv of the plant. The common nAum, j>inea^jile, arose from the 

 resemblance of tlie fruit to pine cones. 



