San Diego Bromeliad Society
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Alcantarea - Brazilian giants

Make room for
Alcantarea !

If you can find the room for even one or a few of these impressive members of the Alcantarea genus, you will be impressed by bold foliage and (eventually) impressively tall flower spikes.

Alcantarea imperialis is the most common species -- regal and considered the signature species of this genus. It is one of the giants of the bromeliad family, growing to a span of more than 1.5 meters, although it can take up to ten years to get to this size. The thick flower spike reaches up to 3.5 meters in height, producing hundreds of slightly fragrant creamy white flowers. The green, slightly ribbed leaves are quite leathery and tough with a distinctive waxy surface, giving a bluish colouration from a distance. Alcantarea imperialis was first popularised by the famous Brazilian landscape architect, Roberto Burle-Marx.

In coastal gardens, most Alcantarea species can take quite a bit of sun, if acclimated.
Picture
The Alcantarea genus is a group of plants that grow in Brazil, many of which grow on granite rocks and cliffs like the famous Sugarloaf Mountain (above) in Rio de Janeiro. 
Picture
Above:  Alcantarea braziliana
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Above:  Alcantarea 'Aurora', a variegated form of Alcantarea glaziouana

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Above:  xVriecantarea 'Merlot' - a bigeneric hybrid of xVriecantarea 'Eggplant' and Alcantarea vinicolor.
Picture
Alcantarea imperialis in full flower in central San Diego.  Hummingbirds doted on the flowers for weeks.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Nico Nelson
  • Home
  • Join us! Membership
  • Meetings/Events
    • Past: February 2023
    • Past: January 2023
    • Past: Oct. 2022
    • Past: Sept. 2022
    • June Show & Sale Balboa Park
    • Past: May 2022
    • World Brom Conference 2022
    • Past: April 2022
    • Past: March 2022
    • Past: Feb 2022
    • Past: Dec. 2021 Plant Sale
    • Past: Dec 2021
    • Past: Nov 2021
    • Past: Expo at SD Botanic Garden
    • Past: August 2021
    • Past: July 2021
    • Past June 2021
    • Past: May 2021
    • Past: April '21
    • past: March '21
    • past: February '21
    • past: January '21
    • Past: December
    • Past: November
    • Past: October
    • Past: September
    • Past: August
    • August Coffee in the Brom Garden
  • Past Newsletters
  • Videos
  • Join/About Us
    • 2019 Exhibition & Sale
    • WBC San Diego 2018
    • A Look Back: '17 Show & Sale
  • Bromeliad Genera
    • Alcantarea - Brazilian giants
    • Spotlight on Vriesea
    • Behold Billbergia
    • Spotlight on Neoregelia
  • Links
    • SDBS Facebook page
    • ZOONOOZ Beautiful Bromeliads [great article]
    • Bromeliad Society International
    • Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies
    • Queenlsand
    • East London
  • Growing Tips
    • Growing in San Diego
    • Water & Fertilzer
    • Potting & Soil
    • How Much Light?
    • Blog