Guzmania

Guzmania (tufted airplant) is a genus of over 120 species of flowering plants in the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae.[2] They are mainly stemless, evergreen, epiphytic perennials native to Florida, the West Indies, southern Mexico, Central America, and northern and western South America.[1][3] They are found at altitudes of up to 3,500 m (11,483 ft) in the Andean rainforests.[2]

Guzmania
Guzmania monostachia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Bromeliaceae
Subfamily: Tillandsioideae
Genus: Guzmania
Ruiz & Pav.
Synonyms[1]
  • Caraguata Lindl.
  • Devillea Bertero ex Schult. & Schult.f.
  • Massangea E.Morren
  • Sodiroa Andrews
  • Schlumbergeria E.Morren
  • Thecophyllum André
  • Chirripoa Suess.

The genus is named after Spanish pharmacist and naturalist, Anastasio Guzman.[4]

Several species of this genus are cultivated as indoor and outdoor garden plants. The best known is Guzmania lingulata (scarlet star) which bears orange and red bracts.

The plant dies after it has produced its flowers in summer, but new plants can easily be propagated from the offsets which appear as the parent plant dies. They are epiphytes and can do well if tied on to pieces of bark with roots bound into sphagnum moss.

Guzmanias require warm temperatures and relatively high humidity. The sac fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana (anamorph of Cochliobolus sativus) and others can cause fatal root rot in plants of this genus if the roots get too wet and cold.

Species
Main article: List of Guzmania species

As of September 2014, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes 215 species, including hybrids.[5]

Notable cultivars

Hybrids:

  • cv. 'Rana'
  • Wittmackii-Hybrids
  • Zahnii-Hybrids

References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. Flora of North America, Guzmania Ruiz & Pávon, Flora Peruviana. 3: 37. 1802.
  4. "The Colors of Guzmania Bromeliads". Manila Bulletin. 18 January 2012.
  5. "Search for Guzmania", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2014-09-04
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