San Diego Bromeliad Society
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Where Do Bromeliads Grow?

2/23/2017

 
Bromeliads are a Neotropical family which means they grow virtually exclusively in the New World tropics (and subtropics).  Most come from South America with the greatest number of species found in Brazil.  They range from Chile and Argentina in South America through Central America and the Caribbean reaching their northern limit at Virginia in the southeastern United States. A single species (Pitcairnia feliciana) is found in western Africa.  Bromeliads altitude range is from sea level to over 14,000 feet. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats from hot, dry deserts to moist rainforests to cool mountainous regions.
Picture
Pitcairnia feliciana
​They are found in a variety of growing situations: Terrestrial species are found growing in the ground (the way we expect most plants to grow).  They may be found growing in bright sun along sandy beaches to the shady understory of a forest among the leaf litter and debris.  Saxicolous species are found growing on rocks. They may grow on hard rocky outcrops where their roots may penetrate cracks and fissures to locate moisture or organic nutrients or sometimes they are found growing tenuously on sheer cliff faces.  Epiphytic species are found growing on other plants, usually trees, shrubs or cactus but sometimes they can be found on telephone poles or even on the telephone lines themselves.  This capability to take their nutrition and moisture from the atmosphere has earned these bromeliads the name "Air Plants".

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    Some articles courtesy of Bromeliad Society International – adapted for the San Diego region

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Photo from STC4blues
  • Home
  • Join us! Membership
  • Meetings/Events
    • June Sale - Balboa Park
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • November 2024
    • Past: October 2024
    • Past: September 2024
    • Past: July 2024
    • Past: May in the Garden
    • Past: April 2024
    • Past: February 2024
    • Past: January 2024
    • Past: December 2023
    • Past: Nov. 2023
    • Past: Oct. 2023
    • Past: Sept. 2023
    • Past: July 2023
    • Past: May Tour
    • Past: June 10-11 Show & Sale
    • Past: April 2023
    • Past: March 2023
    • 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: October
    • Past: September
    • Past: November
    • August Coffee in the Brom Garden
  • Past Newsletters
  • Videos
  • About Us/Past Events
    • 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
  • past: January '21