aechmea

[eek-mee-uh, eek-mee-uh]

noun

1. any of various epiphytic bromeliads of the genus Aechmea, native to tropical America, having stiff, spiny leaves and clusters of red, yellow, or blue flowers: popular as a houseplant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aechmea¹

< New Latin (1794), probably based on Greek aichmḗeis armed with a spear, derivative of aichmḗ spear point, spear; -a ²

Example Sentences

If a plant’s leaves form a tank — the way Aechmea, Vriesia, Guzmania and Neoregelia do — add water into it, too.

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Those that do get potted up, like the Cryptanthus, Guzmania or Aechmea, are best underpotted, or given pots that may appear to be too small.

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South Bay Bromeliad Associates members will be displaying their own bromeliads, including specimens of tillandsia, neoregelia, dyckia, vriesea, aechmea, billbergia and guzmanias.

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John Wood, seen here examining the tree bromeliad Aechmea bromeliifolia in Bolivia this month, has collected tens of thousands of plant specimens.

Read more on Nature

Several species are grown as hot-house plants for the bright colour of their flowers or flower-bracts, e.g. species of Tillandsia, Billbergia, Aechmea and others.

Read more on Project Gutenberg