Billbergia pyramidalis

Billbergia pyramidalis, commonly known as the flaming torch and foolproof plant, is a species of bromeliad that is native to northern South America and parts of the Caribbean.[2] It was first described by John Sims, and got its current name by John Lindley.[3]

Flaming torch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Bromeliaceae
Genus: Billbergia
Species:
B. pyramidalis
Binomial name
Billbergia pyramidalis
(Sims) Lindl.
Synonyms[1]
  • Bromelia pyramidalis Sims
  • Billbergia thyrsoidea Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f.
  • Tillandsia farinosa Schult. & Schult.f.
  • Billbergia atrorosea Drapiez
  • Billbergia loddigesii Steud.
  • Pitcairnia fastuosa C.Morren
  • Billbergia splendida Lem.
  • Jonghea splendida Lem.
  • Billbergia croyana De Jonghe ex Lem.
  • Billbergia miniatorosea Lem.
  • Billbergia fastuosa (C.Morren) Beer
  • Billbergia longifolia K.Koch & C.D.Bouché
  • Billbergia paxtonii Beer
  • Billbergia punicea Beer
  • Billbergia lemoinei André
  • Billbergia andegavensis André
  • Billbergia schultesiana Baker
  • Billbergia setosa Baker

Description
Billbergia pyramidalis var. concolor in cultivation.

A perennial, clump-forming stemless bromeliad plant, it is adaptable, growing well as a terrestrial or epiphytic plant. When on the ground, plants quickly create large clumps, and when planted at the base of a tree, they will slowly climb the trunk. The strap-like, green-coloured, overlaying, leathery leaves are arranged in jar-shaped basal rosettes, with a central cup that keeps water, organic debris and insects, thus providing extra nutrients to be absorbed by the plant.[4]

The thick, red or pink brush-shaped flowers on an individual plant last less than one month, but nearly all plants will come into bloom at the same time in the late summer or early autumn. In some latitudes, they bloom more frequently. The scarlet-coloured, erect, pyramidal flowers are laid in thistle-like inflorescences, which are made up of red, tube-shaped flowers with violet or yellow highlights.[5]

Cultivation

Requiring minimal care, the plant is used as groundcover in partial shade and in a protected position. It is drought and frost sensitive. Being epiphytic, these plants can also be grown in the branching of trees or on tree ferns. A slow-release fertiliser may be applied on the base of the plants in spring. Propagation is done by dividing off the immature parts of the plants in spring or autumn. This plant tolerates between USDA zones 10a to 12a and may not withstand temperatures below -1.1ºC.[6]

Range

The species is found in moist humus rich soils or in composted leaf mould on the ground in humid areas, and as well as on rocks under shady forest trees, in countries such as, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, French Guiana, the Lesser Antilles and Cuba. It is reportedly naturalised in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and on the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.[1]

Cultivars
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. bicolor Lindl.
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. concolor L.B.Sm.
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. croyana E.Morren
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. farinosa E.Morren
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. lutea Leme & W. Weber
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. pyramidalis
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. striata M.B.Foster
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. vernicosa E.Pereira
  • Billbergia pyramidalis var. zonata (from Vriese) E. Morren
  • Huntington Gardens, Los Angeles, in September
  • London, Ontario, Canada
  • In a botanical garden in Japan
  • Red rosette with violet highlights
  • Its torch-like inflorescence
  • Its clumpy characteristic
  • Hyderabad, India.
  • 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition, Taiwan.
  • 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition, Taiwan.
  • Botanical illustration

See also
  • Guzmania, a genus of the same family with similar-looking plants

References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Sant'Ana Melhem, T., das Graças Lapa Wanderley, M., Ehlin Martins, S., Jung-Mendaçolli, S.L., Shepherd, G.J. & Kirizawa, M. (eds.) (2007). Flora Fanerogâmica do Estado de São Paulo 5: 1-476. Instituto de Botânica, São Paulo.
  3. da Costa, A.F. & Wendt, T. (2007). Bromeliaceae na região de Macaé de Cima, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rodriguésia; Revista do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal, Jardim Botânico e Estaçao Biologica do Itatiaya 58: 905-939.
  4. Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1-1192.
  5. Martinelli, G., Magalhães Vieira, C., Gonzalez, M., Leitman, P., Piratininga, A. Ferreira da Costa, A. & Campostrini Forzza, R. (2008). Bromeliaceae da Mata Atlântica Brasileira: lista de espécies, distribuição e conservação. Rodriguésia; Revista do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal, Jardim Botânico e Estaçao Biologica do Itatiaya 59: 209-258.
  6. Billbergia pyramidalis

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