Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 0.4 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Costa Rica, Panama & Columbia |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An epiphytic bromeliad of spreading rosette form in the wet and hot coastal rainforest, it produces bright red-orange, upright inflorescences and ligulate (strap-shaped; narrow, moderately long, with the sides parallel) green leaves. |
|---|---|
| Others - Plant Morphology | Stem: Stems absent to rarely caulescent (having a well-developed stem). Foliage Leaves simple, spiral, margins entire, sessile (attached directly by the base to the stem), ligulate, green, smooth, glossy, about 30 to 35 cm long. Flower: Inflorescences usually a single spike, orange-red stalk with yellow flowers. Fruit: Fruits are cylindircal capsules, dehiscent. |
| Cultivation | It prefers semi-shade conditions and likes constant moisture. Thrives best when rich soil that is water retaining yet drains well. Cut off flower stalk when withered and make sure the plant has good ventilation. Propagate by dividing offsets with roots attached. Use a sharp sterile knife to remove the offset with roots from the mother plant. Pot it in regular mix. |
| Etymology | The genus epithet 'Guzmania' is honoured after Anastasio Guzman, an 18th century Spanish naturalist. Its species epithet 'dissitiflora' means 'having flowers in loose heads' or 'not compact' in Latin, in reference to its inflorescences. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 754 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2049 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
