Two bromeliads occur along the ocean front of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica: Bromelia plumieri (E. Morren) L.B. Smith and Pitcairnia halophila L.B. Smith. These are among the few plants that colonize rock outcrops just above the high tide line (figure 13). Large colonies of each species can be found side by side on nearly vertical, and often otherwise unvegetated cliffs, between rock crevices, and on ledges. While Bromelia plumieri ranges from Mexico and the West Indies to Ecuador and northeastern Brazil, Pitcairnia halophila is endemic to Costa Rica. It is found only in the humid and rainy southern portion of Puntarenas Province from at least Quepos south to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio and Punta Uvita.
Aptly named "salt-loving," Pitcairnia halophila flowers between November and January. It is restricted to a narrow margin along the coast and does not extend to the forest. Before collections were made during the last four years it was known only from its type specimen. After observing the species for several years, I can report that it is a distinct, narrow endemic, and provide a few additional details on its habitat and morphology. —SeeGrant 1994dp. 44(4): 170-172