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Aechmea gamosepala var. nivea Reitz
| Family Name: | Bromeliaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ortgiesia gamosepala var. nivea (Reitz) L.B.Sm. & W.J.Kress |
| Common Name: | Matchstick Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte, Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an epiphytic bromeliad with offshoots growing from the base. It is monocarpic, meaning it dies after flowering and fruiting. |
|---|---|
| Roots | The roots are wirey and serve as anchorage rather than water absorption. |
| Foliage | The leaves are soft, spineless, green, and arranged in a rosette. Water is collected and absorbed through the rosetted leaves. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is a spike that is borne from the center of the rosette. The rachis (main stem of inflorescence), bracts and fused sepals are rose-pink to red and the petals are purple to bluish-purple. |
| Cultivation | It grows well in partial shade and porous, free-draining media. It can also be mounted on tree trunk, cork bark, etc. Planting in heavy or clayey soil will cause them to rot. Tip the plant occasionally to prevent stagnant water. It is propagated by offshoots or suckers. |
| Etymology | The genus Aechmea is from Greek aichme, "point, spear, lance", possibly referring to the spine-tipped leaves or the pointed shape of the unopened inflorescence on most of the plants in the genus. The specific epithet gamosepala means "united sepals", referring to the fused base of the sepals. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Small Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Division, Sucker |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Modification | Flower/Fruit Bract |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Base | Clasping |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Pink, Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Ovary Position | Inferior / Epipgynous |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32161 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6567 |
| 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. |
