bromeliad

[broh-mee-lee-ad]

noun

1. any of numerous, usually epiphytic tropical American plants, having long, stiff leaves and showy flowers, and including the pineapple, Spanish moss, and many species grown as houseplants or ornamentals.

bromeliad

/ brəʊˈmiːlɪˌæd /

noun

1. any plant of the tropical American family Bromeliaceae , typically epiphytes with a rosette of fleshy leaves. The family includes the pineapple and Spanish moss

bromeliad

1. Any of various tropical American plants of the family Bromeliaceae, most of which are epiphytes. They usually have long stiff leaves, colorful flowers, and showy bracts. The bromeliads include the pineapple, the Spanish moss, and numerous ornamental plants.

Other Word Forms

• bromeliaceous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bromeliad¹

1865–70; < New Latin Bromeli ( a ), the type genus of the family (named after Olaus Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish botanist; -ia ) + -ad ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bromeliad¹

C19: from New Latin Bromelia type genus, after Olaf Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish botanist

Example Sentences

The red-flowered torch was the first ornamental bromeliad to catch plant collectors’ attention, back in 1776, but breeders have since introduced cultivars and hybrids with scapes of yellow, white, pink, purple and even green, all with small water tanks and suited to growing in pots.

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What probably startles beginning bromeliad growers most, even after providing diligent care, is the inevitable decline of the original or mother plant after it flowers.

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Don’t panic: This is part of the bromeliad life cycle.

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May 6 Bromeliad Society of La Ballona Valley Annual Bromeliad Show & Plant Sale, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at the Culver City Veterans Complex Multipurpose Room, 4117 Overland Ave. The event will feature exhibits of at least 20 varieties of bromeliads, many of which are known as air plants.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A towering magenta bromeliad with a pool at its core is home to frogs and damselflies.

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