
Companions of Orchids in the tropical forests of 
Central and South America, the Bromeliaceae or 
“Pineapple” family is a large group of Epiphytes 
and Terrestrials which include some of the most 
fascinating and striking known ornamentals, that 
will lend themselves admirably as houseplants. 
Some Bromeliads have plain foliage but a showy 
inflorescence, which may—as in some Aechmeas or 
Vriesias—keep for several months; others are dis- 
tinguished by spectacular coloring or bizarre design 
of their foliage. 
Notwithstanding their beautiful colors and de- 
signs, this group of plants is amongst the easiest to 
grow. This is because they are allied to Succulents, 
inasmuch as they hold their water supply within a 
natural vase-like center cup, formed by their leaves. 
Their root system, particularly in the epiphytic varie- 
ties, serves—mainly in the older plants—primarily 
as a means of attaching themselves to trees or other 
convenient hosts. In fact, it has been found that as 
long as Bromeliads receive their food and water 
through their center funnel—they can get along for 
a long time without any roots at all. Bromeliads are 
therefore ideally suited for house decoration, loca- 
tions in unfavorable corners, hanging pots, branches 
of trees, wall pieces, Dishgardens, and table adorn- 
ment. In Europe, Bromeliads have thus been used 
for decoration for a hundred years. 
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