Common Name:

General Information

Bromelia plumieri is a stemless, perennial plant producing a rosette of leaves and growing up to 3 metres tall. It is capable of making dense colonies by means of underground stolons[].
The plant is harvested by local people as a source of food and medicines. The fruit is sometimes sold in local markets[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The fruits have thin stinging hairs.

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Brazil and Ecuador north through Central America to Mexico and the West Indies.

Habitat

Marginal forests bordering savannahs and in deciduous forests, at elevations of 1,300 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the semi-arid tropics and subtropics[].
Requires a well-drained soil and a position in full sun[].

Edible Uses

The very young inflorescences are eaten as a vegetable[, ].

The fruit is edible[]. A pleasant flavour[]. It is used in the preparation of a refreshing drink called 'Atol de Pina'[, ]. The fruit is up to 8cm long[]. The fruits are edible after removal of thin stinging hairs. Similarly to pineapple, eating too much may cause blisters.

Tender leaf bases of young shoots - blanched and eaten as a vegetable or added to soups[].

Medicinal

The juice of the plant is used to cicatrize recent sores and wounds[]. An alcoholic tincture of the juice is used for a detersive on ulcers[].

Other Uses

The juice (of the whole plant?) is said to be used as a saponin-containing soap substitute[].

Propagation

Seed -

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