Bromeliaceae (The Bromeliads)

  Is a family of monocot flowering plants of around 52 genera incorporating some 3000 species and varieties. Bromeliads are mainly distributed in tropical regions of the Americas,with a few species found in the American subtropics and one in tropical west Africa. Bromeliaceae are aften called the pineapple plant. During the course of evolution,the various species have adapted to the most varying ecosystems. Bromeliads live in the deserts as well as tropical rainforests,in low-lands and on mountains up to 4000 m altitude. The adaption consist 0f 2 types, the first type is epiphytes, such as spanish moss (Tillandsia usnoides). In this type of adaptation, the bromeliads grow on other plants without doing any harm to their host. The second type is terrestrial species, such as the pineapple(Ananas comosus).

Many bromeliads are able to store water in a "tank" formed by their tightly-overlapping leaf bases. However,the family is diverse enough to include the tank bromeliads,grey-leaved epiphytic Tillandsia species which gather water only from leaf structures called trichomes,and a large number of desert-dwelling succulents.

It is unfortunate that to date so few representatives of this extremely interesting and colorful family have made their way into ornamental horticulture.  

"Blooming Bromeliads" Baensch