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What are bromeliads: Difference between revisions
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Nobody should presume he does not know any „Bromeliads“. For at least one species – in fact being not an ornamental but an economic plant - is on the tip of everybody’s tongue: the pineapple. She was the first representative of her family to find her way to Europe, rather soon after the discovery of America. The Bromeliads (lat.: Bromeliaceae) obtained their name by the French botanist Charles Plumier who published them 1703 for the first time, naming them after his friend, the Swedish physician and botanist Olaf Bromel (1639-1705). In german language generally the name “pineapple plants” is in use. | [[File:Ananasstaude.JPG|thumb|250px]]Nobody should presume he does not know any „Bromeliads“. For at least one species – in fact being not an ornamental but an economic plant - is on the tip of everybody’s tongue: the pineapple. She was the first representative of her family to find her way to Europe, rather soon after the discovery of America. The Bromeliads (lat.: Bromeliaceae) obtained their name by the French botanist Charles Plumier who published them 1703 for the first time, naming them after his friend, the Swedish physician and botanist Olaf Bromel (1639-1705). In german language generally the name “pineapple plants” is in use. | ||
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== Distribution == | == Distribution == | ||
[[ | [[File:WorldBromeliadDistribution.PNG|thumb|<center>Distribution map</center>]] | ||
<center> | |||
Bromeliads are growing exclusively in the New World, which means North and South America. Solely the species Pitcairnia Feliciana also exists in the western Africa. The distribution area of Bromeliads ranges from the South of the USA over Central America far down to Argentina and Chile. They thrive in nearly every living environment, including all deserts of the Western Hemisphere, even inclusive of the desert most arid in the world, the Atacama. Wether moist and hot lowland rainforests, dry cactus and thorn forests, or moist and could rain- and cloud forest of the mountains, even on the table mounts of Venezuela (Tepuis) and in the Páramos of the Andes, more than 4000m high, are to be found Bromeliads. | Bromeliads are growing exclusively in the New World, which means North and South America. Solely the species Pitcairnia Feliciana also exists in the western Africa. The distribution area of Bromeliads ranges from the South of the USA over Central America far down to Argentina and Chile. They thrive in nearly every living environment, including all deserts of the Western Hemisphere, even inclusive of the desert most arid in the world, the Atacama. Wether moist and hot lowland rainforests, dry cactus and thorn forests, or moist and could rain- and cloud forest of the mountains, even on the table mounts of Venezuela (Tepuis) and in the Páramos of the Andes, more than 4000m high, are to be found Bromeliads. | ||
== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
About half of the known Bromeliad species live epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants, but without feeding on them. '''They are no parasites''', what they are often erroneously called and – alas - are treated likewise by locals. However Bromeliads can also be found living on rocks (litophytic) or on the ground (terrestrial). As their habitats dry out severely sometimes, some of them started building a funnel or a cistern with the use of the base of their leafs, to catch and keep water. The biggest species can this way store up several liters of water, which assists them to compensate rather long dry periods. At the same time these minuscule lakes represent a self-contained biotope and provide living space for several other creatures, often to the benefit of both. The funnels serve insect species as breeding place for their nymphs, tropical tree frogs live and spawn in them, and even several water plants grow there. Even crabs have been found in Bromeliad cisterns. In nutrient-poor regions a few Bromeliads actually have developed the ability to live as carnivores. | About half of the known Bromeliad species live epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants, but without feeding on them. '''They are no parasites''', what they are often erroneously called and – alas - are treated likewise by locals. However Bromeliads can also be found living on rocks (litophytic) or on the ground (terrestrial). As their habitats dry out severely sometimes, some of them started building a funnel or a cistern with the use of the base of their leafs, to catch and keep water. The biggest species can this way store up several liters of water, which assists them to compensate rather long dry periods. At the same time these minuscule lakes represent a self-contained biotope and provide living space for several other creatures, often to the benefit of both. The funnels serve insect species as breeding place for their nymphs, tropical tree frogs live and spawn in them, and even several water plants grow there. Even crabs have been found in Bromeliad cisterns. In nutrient-poor regions a few Bromeliads actually have developed the ability to live as carnivores. | ||
The pollination of the flowers is carried out by animals, especially birds as well as butterflies or other insects. Only species of Navia are pollinated by wind. Some Bromeliads specialized on particular groups of pollinators. For example Werauhias are pollinated by bats, they blossom in the night, when these animals are on the hunt. | The pollination of the flowers is carried out by animals, especially birds as well as butterflies or other insects. Only species of Navia are pollinated by wind. Some Bromeliads specialized on particular groups of pollinators. For example Werauhias are pollinated by bats, they blossom in the night, when these animals are on the hunt. | ||
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== Habitus and leaves == | == Habitus and leaves == | ||
As varied as their dissimilar habitats are size, shape and texture of these plants. Not only within the family, even in one genus size and shape can vary that much you never would believe they are relatives. The size ranges from a few millimeters to several meters. | As varied as their dissimilar habitats are size, shape and texture of these plants. Not only within the family, even in one genus size and shape can vary that much you never would believe they are relatives. The size ranges from a few millimeters to several meters. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Tillandsia bryoides (TS) 00680.jpg|<center><small>''Tillandsia bryoides''</small></center> | |||
File:Alcantarea edmundoi (TS) 2-03448.jpg|<center><small>''Alcantarea edmundoi''</small></center> | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Bromeliads are indeciduous, hardy herbaceous perennials. Rarely species occur which are deciduous in the dry season, like for example Pitcairnia heterophylla. Her main shoot flowers only once and dies after the maturation of her seeds. This dieback takes place only gradually, because at the same time they produce replacing offshoots (called pups) which guarantee the continuance of the shoot system and can be used for multiplication. Only a few species die ultimately after bloom and maturity of the seeds. | Bromeliads are indeciduous, hardy herbaceous perennials. Rarely species occur which are deciduous in the dry season, like for example Pitcairnia heterophylla. Her main shoot flowers only once and dies after the maturation of her seeds. This dieback takes place only gradually, because at the same time they produce replacing offshoots (called pups) which guarantee the continuance of the shoot system and can be used for multiplication. Only a few species die ultimately after bloom and maturity of the seeds. | ||