Bromelia humilis Jacq.
Literature references:
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Comments:
- Color variations by Ana and Pedro Rousse in J. Brom. Soc. 42(3): 126-7. 1992
Bromelia humilis is a stoloniferous plant that is saxicolous or terrestrial and capable of surviving high variations of temperature and altitude.
On a recent collecting trip to the island of Margarita, Venezuela, we found hundreds of these specimens widely spread in the northern regions of the coast and low hills. Some plants showed striking inflorescences. Near the town of Juan Diego, there is a big xerophytic natural park organized for artistic, educational, and touristic purposes. Its promoter is a Spanish man named Mr. Pepe who for many years has been collecting arts and crafts of native cultures, as well as antiquities, and plants. The park has an extensive area covered with Bromelia humilis, cacti and "cujies." Pepe told us he pays ten cents for each plant of "caracuey" (the popular name given here) to the natives for carrying plants to the park. It is very painful work when you realize they have to endure hot weather and the murderous punctures of the spines. Some of the plants show the red, brilliant characteristic inflorescence of this species, but only a few of them have a rose pink, a salmon pink, or an orange color. Bromelia humilis is used to cover eroded land and the slopes of highways, and it is also commonly used as fences instead of other materials to prevent trespassing. B. humilis, B. pinguin and B. chrysantha are the common species in low rainfall regions of Venezuela and the Caribbean Islands.
- Local name. Teco (Venezuela, Falcon). —See Smith & Downs 1979