Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Aechmea is a very diversified, hardy and extremely popular group of plants in the Bromeliad family. There are over 170 species distributed in tropical Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies. The most distinctive future of the group is the rosette of leaves that form a cup to hold the water that nourishes the plant. The leaves of Aechmea can be thick, rigid or soft, matte or shinny and often the top of the leaves are very different from the underside. The color varies from green to yellow, silvery, red, burgundy or black with many patterns, stripes, spots, shading or blotches. The leaf margins are spiny. Species of Aechmea have large inflorescence and large, brightly colored bracts emerging from the center to create a spectacular display. These long lasting bracts are modified leaves that grow from the same axils as the flower spikes. Often the colorful berry-like fruits mature for a long time on the flower.
(G. W. Staples & D. R. Herbst, 2005. A tropical Garden Flora. Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants. 1984.)

Bromeliads, with their exotic foliage and showy flowers, are not difficult to grow indoors. However, when growing these plants in a pot, the central vase made by the rosette of leaves should be kept filled with water and overwatering should be avoided since they have a small root system.
(Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants. 1984.)

Originating in the tropics of Central and South America, most bromeliads are epiphytes, meaning air plants. They grow suspended in trees and on rocks in their native habitat, gathering moisture and nutrients from rainfall and particles in the air.
(Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants. 1984.)

We currently have 2 herbarium specimens for Aechmea rubens in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 016002 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1994
• 016001 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1994