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Bromelia
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Bromelia

Bromelia

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameBromelia
DescriptionDiverse family of tropical plants featuring striking rosettes of stiff, often colorful leaves that form a central 'tank' or 'urn' holding water. Many species produce vibrant, long-lasting flower spikes surrounded by brilliantly colored bracts in red, pink, orange, or yellow. Includes popular houseplants and the pineapple, with many species growing as epiphytes (air plants) on trees in their native rainforest habitats.
FamilyBromeliaceae
GenusBromelia

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ⚥ K3 C3 A6 G(3)

Radially symmetrical, bisexual, 3 free sepals, 3 free petals, 6 stamens in 2 whorls of 3, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Named after Swedish botanist Olof Bromelius. Family includes over 3,000 species, from tiny air plants (Tillandsia) to large terrestrial types. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is the only commercially important food crop in the family
  • True flowers are small and often inconspicuous, but surrounded by showy, colorful bracts that last for months. Flowers emerge from center of rosette on a spike. Bracts in red, pink, orange, yellow, or purple
  • Perennial plants that bloom once in their lifetime (monocarpic), then produce offsets (pups) before dying. Blooming typically occurs after 1-3 years of growth. Many species are epiphytic, growing on trees without parasitizing them
  • Size varies dramatically: air plants 2-6 inches (5-15 cm), medium houseplant types 1-2 feet (30-60 cm), large terrestrial species to 3-6 feet (1-2 m). Lifespan of 2-5 years for mother plant, but pups continue colony
  • Native to tropical and subtropical Americas, from southern United States through Central and South America to Argentina. Found in rainforests, cloud forests, and some arid regions. Majority from Brazil
  • Prefer bright, indirect light (direct sun can burn leaves). Most species absorb water through leaves into central tank - keep filled with fresh water. Epiphytic types need high humidity. Well-draining medium essential for potted types
  • Popular low-maintenance houseplants. Air plants (Tillandsia) need no soil. Central tank provides habitat for frogs and insects in nature. Non-toxic to pets. Propagated from offsets (pups) that form at base after flowering

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificBromelia
English (Alternate)Bromeliads, Air Plants, and urn plant
Hindiब्रोमलिऐसी (Braumeli'aesi), अनन्नास (Anannas)
Tamilபுரோமெலியாடு (Promeḷiyāḍu), புரோமெலியேசி (Promeḷiyēsi)
Teluguబ్రొమెలియా పువ్వు (Bromelia puvvu)
Malayalamബ്രൊമീലിയ പൂ (bromelia poo), ബ്രൊമെലിയേസീ (Bromeliaceae), കൈതച്ചക്ക (kaithachakka)
Kannadaಬ್ರೋಮೆಲಿಯಾಸಿ (Bromeliaceae)
Sanskritअननसम् (Anamnasam), बहुनेत्रफाल (Bahunetraphalam ), अननस (Ananas)
Bengaliআনারস (Anarash), আনারস ফুল (Anarash phool)
Frenchune bromélia
Russianбромелия (bromeliya)
Spanishbromelia
Germandie Bromelie

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.