need an ID on a spiny purple bromeliad

[JD in the OC]

We have a few clumps of these growing in our area here in SW Florida. They produce orange fruit about 1 inch in diameter and grow to about 4 feet wide by 3 feet tall. They are reddish/purple in full sun.

It is definitely in the Bromelia genus, but what species? Any brom experts out there??

[Gonzer]

JD, probably B. antiacantha.

[JD in the OC]

Gonzer,

The coloring looks different on the fcbs.org website pictures, but the inflorescence looks similar.

[FRITO]

JD could it be purple because of the sun exposure?

here is B. antiacantha

[virtualpalm]

JD, are you sure that isn't a Dyckia? I have one called 'Cherry Coke' that is quite similar vegetatively (but it has not flowered, so I don't know what the flower looks like).

Jody

[JD in the OC]

FRITO: Ya, I saw that same picture. Now that I've looked through all the Bromelia species I think Gonzer is spot on with his ID. Jody, this bromeliad is 4 feet wide by 3 feet tall- I don't think Dyckia get that large but I could be wrong. I am fairly certain it's Bromelia antiacantha ("anti" meaning against; "acantha" meaning spines or thorns, much like Trithrinax acanthocoma). This is probably the most deadly bromeliad I have come across.

[virtualpalm]

Good point. Where can I get this beast?

Jody

[aussiearoids]

I would not want to weed around thaT plant ..

Several good pups and plenty of seeds on that one so easily propagated .

Some Bromelias have very insidious veeerrrrrryyyyyy long stolons that will just take over .

SO BE WARNED ... These are often used as living barbed wire fences in Brazil.

And will nearly halt a wild pig , and will definitely stop a mildly angry chook

[virtualpalm]

Michael, I have no idea what a "chook" is, but I have seen similar living fences in Honduras (see below), and I would have to think that they would stop pretty much any living being with a single brain cell! 'Vicious' is an understatement! I don't know if the species involved was Bromelia sp., but now that I think about it, they probably were.

Jody

[Gonzer]

It's good to plant Bromelia in the corners of your yard....where kids jump over the fence.

[Eric in Orlando]

Bromelia pinguin is common in old plantings in FL. This one is one that rapidly spreads by stolons and makes an inpenetrable mass if not controlled. It is also indestructible; sun or shade, drought tolerant and very cold tolerant.

Dyckia 'Cherry Cola' looks similar but has the reddish foliage and doesn't grow as large. Also, has a much skinnier, less spectacular inflorescence

[palmmermaid]

When I first became interested in bromeliads I bought some of these Bromelia species. Boy was that a mistake! They are deadly! And it took me forever to get rid of them. Someone in our local club wanted them and I told him he had to come and get them. I finally got rid of all of them. I have some Dyckias but keep them in bowls or pots so they can't hurt me too much!

[JD in the OC]

Jody,

Very nice pictures, living barbed wire fence sounds about right to me!!!

The largest clump i have found here locally was planted at the edge of a beach property and was about 40 feet by 10 feet deep. Will definitely keep out any living thing from tresspassing!!

[virtualpalm]

I am looking to fill a bed (approx. 20' x 3') right in front of my living room windows with something that will deter any would-be thiefs from trying to enter. Bromelia seems like a good choice. Does anyone know of any species that are a bit smaller (around 2-2.5' OA) but equally viscious and adaptable? And if so, where might I get some in south Florida?

Jody

[virtualpalm]

Dyckia 'Cherry Cola' looks similar but has the reddish foliage and doesn't grow as large. Also, has a much skinnier, less spectacular inflorescence

Eric, you forgot to mention that it is also VERY slow growing (at least here in my yard). My plant has been in the ground for several years and is still no more than 2.5' across.

Jody

[Eric in Orlando]

Try Bromelia humilis, its much smaller, maybe 1ft but gets the red center when it flowers.

[JD in the OC]

Jody,

If you do want to try some of ours, we can supply enough for a 20 x 3' planter. PM me to talk about price, etc.

JD