Aechmea gamosepala
Family: Bromeliaceae (170 species)
Common Name(s): Match Stick Bromeliad
Grown by: David Feix, Berkeley
Aechmea - aichme = “a point” in reference to the stiff points of the sepals
gamo - married like gametes remember? and
sepala united or joined sepals creating a tightly tubular calyx
A “tank” type bromeliad, an arm’s length relation to the Pineapple, whose robust rosette of deeply fluted overlapping leaves act as reservoirs for rainwater creating aerial water homes for all the creatures microaquatic, from specialized aquatic arthropods found nowhere else to perambulent tree frogs who carry their tadpoles aloft on their backs to sequester them in individual “tanks.” One would do well to put granules of mosquito larvae inhibiting Bacillus thurengensis israeliensis in the tankswho needs a dose of West Nile Virus?
This strikingly sculptural plant has mottled leaves with floral spikes of magenta tubular calyces contrasting “PG&E electric” blue corollas. This hails from the canopies of the Atlantic rain forests of Southern Brazil and therefore thrives in part sun/part shade, or even dappled light, and lots of moisture.
