bromeliad

—bromeliaceous /broh mee'lee ay"sheuhs/, adj.

/broh mee"lee ad'/, n.

any of numerous, usually epiphytic tropical American plants, having long, stiff leaves and showy flowers, and including the pineapple, Spanish moss, and many species grown as houseplants or ornamentals.

[1865-70; < NL Bromeli(a), the type genus of the family (named after Olaus Bromelius (1639-1705), Swedish botanist; see -IA) + -AD¹]

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Any of the flowering plants of the order Bromeliales, containing a single family, Bromeliaceae, with almost 2,600 species.

All but 1 species are native to the tropical New World and the West Indies. Bromeliad flowers have three parts, like lilies, but with contrasting sepals and petals. Many bromeliads are short-stemmed epiphytes. Many species bear flowers in a long spike, with coloured bracts below or along the spike. Most have fleshy fruit, but some produce dry pods. Spanish moss and the edible fruit of the pineapple are the major economic products of the family. The leaves of some species contain fibres that are made into rope, fabric, and netting. The largest known bromeliad is the giant Puya raimondii of Peru and Bolivia, which may grow to more than 30 ft (9 m). Some species are cultivated indoors as ornamentals for their colourful flowers and foliage.

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▪ plant

      Any of the flowering plants of the Bromeliaceae family, with almost 2,600 species. All but 1 species are native to the tropical New World and the West Indies. Bromeliad flowers have three parts, like lilies, but with contrasting sepals and petals. Many bromeliads are short-stemmed epiphytes. Many species bear flowers in a long spike, with coloured bracts below or along the spike. Most have fleshy fruit, but some produce dry pods. Spanish moss and the edible fruit of the pineapple are the major economic products of the family. The leaves of some species contain fibres that are made into rope, fabric, and netting. The largest known bromeliad is the giant Puya raimondii of Peru and Bolivia, which may grow to more than 30 ft (9 m). Some species are cultivated indoors as ornamentals for their colourful flowers and foliage.

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