|Guzmania sanguinea ©|
by Penrith Goff, S.E.Michigan
Habitat: Arboretum de
Concord - Conifers from around the World grown in Michigan"
The genus Guzmania was
established by Ruiz and Pavon in 1802 in honor of the Spanish pharmacist A. Guzman. The
genus belongs to the subfamily Tillandsioideae, the tillandsia-like plants, and is very
closely related to the tillandsias and vrieseas.
Comprised of about 120 species and 20
varieties (not including collected but as yet unclassified guzmanias). Most are valued for
the brightly colored bracts, a few for their highly decorative foliage. Guzmania lingulata in both large and small forms
has been hybridized and has gained wide popularity with interior decorators because the
plant tolerates low light and holds its flamboyant color for 6-8 weeks.
a well defined, multi-layered rosette.
Bracts: yellow, orange, pink, red, dark red to maroon, white (lingulata hybrids) usually spiralled around the scape.
Inflorescence: may be nestled in the center of the rosette (G. sanguinea, G. angustifolia) but more typically borne upright on a 6+ stem covered with bracts.
Flowers: small, yellow or white three-petaled, tubular with flaring petals or remaining almost closed, lasting a day. Petals are fused up to their midpoint and do not have the ligulae (upward flaps at the inside base) typical of tillandsias. A few guzmanias are night bloomers. Note: flowers of store-bought guzmanias may fail to develop due to the sudden change in cultural conditions. The bracts are unaffected and will retain their color.
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