Hornung & Sosa 2004 (Article) Puya

Uses of the giant bromeliad, Puya raimondii

Author(s):—C.T. Hornung L. & V. Sosa

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 54(1): 3-8. (2004)

Abstract:—The most remarkable species in Puya, a genus almost exclusive of the Andes Mountains, is undoubtedly Puya raimondii Harms. This species is the largest bromeliad in the world, reaching 8-10 m tall (Raimondi 1874, Foster 1950) or even to 12 m (Hornung and Sosa, pers. obs.). It was named by Antonio Raimondi as the "queen of the puna," because it is the most conspic­uous plant in this habitat (Raimondi 1874). Puna is a dry habitat of high ele­vations (3600-4200 m above sea level) in the South American Andes with predominantly herbaceous plants (Rivera 1992). Puya raimondli has a restricted distribution; it is found in a few scattered locations in northern and southern Peru and in the east of Bolivia (Smith & Downs 1974).The National Park of Huascacin in Peru, holds the largest number of popu­lations, some of which have almost 150 individuals