Bromelia laciniosa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bromelia laciniosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Bromeliaceae |
| Genus: | Bromelia |
| Species: | B. laciniosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Bromelia laciniosa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Agallostachys laciniosus (Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) K.Koch | |
Bromelia laciniosa, natively known as macambira, is plant in the bromeliad family, or in other words, the pineapple family—though not all bromeliads resemble the common pineapple.[2] Bromelia laciniosa is native to Brazil and Argentina but cultivated in many other places.[1]
The appearance of Bromelia laciniosa depends on various factors, like season and soil, but will typically look like a squat, yellowish-green, thorny shrub with streaks of purple and pink that run along its leaves and converge with the striking flower of the plant.[3] The fruit of Bromelia laciniosa are yellow when ripe,[3] though they are not directly eaten but mashed into a pulp to extract the plant's starchy substance that is made into flour. Like all bromeliads, the leaves of Bromelia laciniosa are covered with tiny scales that appear to be white and fuzzy; known as trichomes, these epidermal projections (leaf hairs) help the plant efficiently extract moisture from hot and dry climates.[2] Bromelia laciniosa reproduces like other plants in its genus; bromeliads produce plantlets at their base, shoots that survive off of the mother plant until they reach the stage when they can extend their roots and survive on their own.[2] Bromelia laciniosa is made up of around 63% starch, 4% sugars, 5% proteins, 13% crude fiber, and other various compounds.[4]
Climate
Bromeliads are found in various tropical environments, like rain forests, dry savannas, and semi-arid regions.[5] Bromeliads typically grow under trees or in clearings, though Bromelia laciniosa seeds do not germinate in the absence of light, which means that the plant only begins to flower given the right conditions.[6] If intercropped, it is thus vital that the Bromelia laciniosa is not shaded by other crops. Bromelia laciniosa has also been shown to be moderately successful in areas where soil degradation is a problem.[7] Thus, this plant can be beneficial to locations where mulch is needed and/or where nutrients in the soil are weak. Bromelia laciniosa is extremely acclimated to barren climates, so the security that this plant offers is something that should be considered.
_1-01097.jpg)