KEY TO THE GENERA. 



Tribe I. Bromelie^. — Ovary inferior. Fruit indehiscent. Leaves 

 nearly always spine -margined. 



* Petals united in a distinct tube, which is usually as long as the 

 calyx-limb. 



1. Karatas. — Inflorescence a central capitulum. Leaves sessile. 

 Stigmas twisted. — Tropical America. 



2. Greigia. — Inflorescence a lateral cluster. Leaves sessile. 

 Stigmas short, not twisted. — Subtemperate Chili. 



3. Distiacanthus. — Inflorescence a central capitulum. Leaves 

 petioled, with a broad blade. Stigmas linear. — Columbia d Amazon 

 Valley. 



** Petals free or joined only at the very base. 



f Sepals united in a distinct tube above the cyathiform apex of the ovary. 



f Inflorescence capitate. 



4. Cryptanthus. — Capitulum central. Petals white, spreading 

 widely. Leaves sessile. — Brazil, Guiana. 



6. DiSTEGANTHus. — Capitulum lateral. Petals yellow, spreading 

 widely. Leaves petioled. — Guiana. 



6. Ortgiesia. — Capitulum or spike central. Petal-blade small. 

 Leaves sessile. Fruit small. — Uruguay d South Brazil. 



7. OcHAGAviA. — Capitulum central. Petal-blade small. Leaves 

 rigid, lanceolate. Fruit small, compressed. — Juan Fernandez. 



tf Inflorescence a central panicle or spike. 



8. Fernseea. — Petals little longer than the sepals. Stigmas 

 long, twisted. Leaves ensiform. — Central Brazil. 



9. RoNNBERGiA. — Petals much longer than the sepals, spreading 

 only at the tip. Leaves petioled, oblong, without spines. — New 

 Granada. 



10. PoRTEA. — Petals much longer than the mucronate sepals, 

 spreading widely. Stigmas long, twisted. Leaves lorate or 

 ensiform, spine-edged. — Brazil. 



If Sepals free quite or nearly to the cyathiform apex of the ovary. 

 * Stigmas short, not twisted, 



11. Ananas. — Inflorescence terminal on a short peduncle, stro- 

 biliform. Fruits concrete with the bracts into a large fleshy 

 syncarpium. — Through Tropical America. 



