Named after the Swedish botanist, Olaf Bromel (1639–1705).
Terrestrial herbs with suckers or rhizomes, forming dense clumps. Leaves in a rosette, rigid, with large curved marginal spines. Inflorescence compound, usually on a scape shorter than the leaves, white woolly, bracteate; petals free but joined by the filaments. Fruit a yellow ovoid berry.
The species are notoriously difficult to distinguish. One species is in cultivation, B. balansae, but this may be B. serra or B. pinguin. All of these 3 species are robust growers and have very spiny leaves. The plant is conspicuous in flower because of the bright red scape bracts and primary bracts. Highly ornamental plants although when mature they require considerable space to spread.
Seed or by division of the suckers.
Source of fibre.
49 species from Mexico to Argentina and the West Indies.
Source: (2005). Bromeliaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
