Tillandsia

I
tivel
14
popu rang few wid use spe pin an Sp mbe th tw
B. BENNETT
tion Unit Stat of spec the trop with algo has ann fru imp (Co pro me 19 of Sp up us to50 in m(Tu se toTw rea
Beyond its numerous, valuable ornamental s, Bromeliaceae contains rela-
dista Hor distr Thir Size (L. ran amo H. Bai fro 30 gen Ho dim Hy 19 Sp so de mtogi bemo ne 2se Pr
notable exceptions. Pineapple, Ananas comosus, ranks among the most
oides) was once an important source of low-grade fiber in the southeastern
an undocumented amount of material continues to seU for floral arrangemeDís
in the United States.
different
iden
genera, substantially augment the hundreds of species in cultivation.
sour
Although
of acan Till
flowers
cur pun usn
tend
The
to
fam and or
be small
rea rat oth the ep
and
its
ephemeral,
cu an ne br ze ~i
unusual
in thc ad ath th
vegetative
forms, ornamented leaves (e.g., Figs. 2.l7B, 2.18B)and brightIy pigmented
floral bracts assure horticultural interest. Red, orange or yellow inflorescences
of the many bird-pollinated bromeliads often signal from impressive
mondii further entice hobbyists, and shade-tolerance suits many taxa for
indoor cultivation. Frequent capacity to grow on a variety of substrates,
inc1uding drift wood, cork slabs and fern roots, further enhances the popularity
of bromeliads.
Bromeliaceae figure prominentIy in several additional contexts inc1uding
seis of Tarzan movies, belying the films' purported African setting. Recent
appearances inc1ude Medicine Man, where Sean Connery's character finally
c
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treeless Bromel landsca Us of Br
588 Ethnobotany of Bromeliaceae 589
plain of the southeastern United States. Spanish moss, together with live
oaks and magnolias, is a quintessential botanical symbol of the old
American South.Yet above ismuch 3000 more m(Benn than asource 1988, of pineap 1990, 1991) house Resid plant pine Tab 14. (An Co com ind su inno na So th
enous member has Below, continu manage 1discuss of this inmy family indigen of work Brome furnish with taxono the food, Shuar, fiber based nonho Quich and on inspir data and from Chach uses for my folklo inEcua field and indig notes for fasc asho
America
(Sou
and fibers for traditional cultures, a fact 1 began to appreciate in the high-
199 14.1 Pine Ben Am cho 197 Tutri is 199 the
the Bor latt ind mo Piñ term 197 wid and me Of oth lla alla use anW19 lar bro are lar de ch arb (B19 fro (Cch anmof br thSp Sc ac wf (C
Group Common llame Source
lands of southern Peru. Bromeliads are significant elements of the mostIy
Chachi chilla Bennett, field notes
Cofan chiviya Borman 1976
Quechua distinguish folk taxa of Bromeliaceae, some of which provide
Quichua chihuilla Orr and Wrise1y 1981
fuel, animal forage, medicine and ritual ornamentation. Children make
trial brom
Quechua
thro the
chihuy
An an we
Soukup
ARll
1970
Tikuna chi-ná Schultes and Raffauf 1990
whistIes from bromeliad leaves, and their parents decorate weddings and
Shuar chiu Bennett et al. 1999
funerals with certain species. The discovery of folk usage and nomenc1ature
and the SeminQle in Florida. Each of these indigenous peoples has a folk
taxonomy tailored for local Bromeliaceae. While not essential for survival,
many traditional Neotropical cultures.
Vriesea The Tzeltal llame for Tilland usneo is?icib, which isunre- for as Chil terre and Arg spe The Ach Sh
llames in northwestern South America are related linguistically (Table
and publications (Bennett 1986b, 1990, 1992a, 1995, 1997a,b, Bennett et
reata
widely
and
used
several
species,
Tilland
and describes
species
the
but
range
k'utha
of derived
isused
produCíS
for Tusneo
and appli-
(Alcorn
cations.
Ashome while qaka ageneric 1984). sunka Hicund llame refers is toTusneoi the Quech and term other for most dimin Tillan saxic of lla Br is als for us ep co an so bu mo te
chihuilla (Quichua), chihuy (Quechua), chiu (Shuar) and chi-ná (Tikuna)
pineapple (piña), is commonly applied to bromeliads in Central America
and parís of South America.
Huicunto and cognates commonly denote epiphytic and certain terres-
Folk
for
taxonomy
epiphy
of
refers
Bromeliaceae
specif
including huicundo, huiccontoi, huacontoi, huaycontoy, guicundo and
Designations inc1ude such contrasts as attractive/ugly, friendly/hostile,
hicundo (Soukup 1970;Joyall987; Bennett 1990)are employed as far south
edible/poisonous. Although members of modern societies make these distinctions
daily, c1assification is even more important for indigenous people,
and it extends beyond simple dichotomies. The Tzeltal ethnobotanical
bromeliads is kuish (Bennett et al. 1999).Us
study of Berlin et al. (1974) presents the most comprehensive analysis of
bromeliad folk c1assification. The Tzeltal ?ecE' refers to members of several
bromeliad genera, including Aechmea, Catopsis, Pitcairnia, Tillandsia and
Nine, nonexclusive categories of plant uses apply to Bromeliaceae (fiber,
food, forage, fuel, medicine, ornamental, ritual/mythical, miscellaneous,
Quichua nomenclature. K'ok'om is the Huastec llame for Aechmea brac-
cornmercial; based on Bennett et al. 1999). These categories reflect local
applications and perceptions, and mar not always coincide with Western
notions of utility. For example, indigenous people consider fruits eaten by
monkeys, or trees inhabited by spirits, to be useful species.
(Bennett 1990). The Seminole in Florida differ in their classification.
The fiber category includes bromeliads that provide clothing, thread,
rape and paper. Food and forage groups contain plants consumed by
l
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nity.Usefulhorticulsonous. tions, ceremon includin Other brameli The utility. species those miscell Many are yield associa listed posses fuel, inTable despite catego with medic huntin 14.2. the encom absen At praper least fishin of 90 wood all speci perso and other two tissue have appli are matte nonpoi- The ¡:¡..
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Catop Guzm Neogl Guzm
wang Mez &Werc
Pitcai sphac acum eduar mono sangu musa
MezGreig (Ruíz Andr (Lind LB. &Pavó exMez Smit Rege
Table 14.2. (cont.)
Referenceb
Species
Greigia sodiroana
Guzmania melinonis Rege1Guzm (And (L) &And Rusb And exMez
Pitcai breed pung varie H.B. LB. (Arru Smit Mez exMez Mez CO
DistributionaME
UnSA, AB
LCOS
Pitcai spica (Lam Mez
XME EC toPA toBO TR TORFOMFMO
Puya Puyaf Puya chilen (Lind Mo1i (Ruíz &Pavó E. Morr LB. exMez Smi
Pitcairnia angustifolia Aiton
Pitcairnia heterophylla Beer
Pitcairnia
Puya
hama lasiop medic longi
integrifolia Ker-Gawl.
Pitcairnia maidifolia (c. Morren) Decasine
in P1anchon
Pitcairnia (Pepinia) pulchella Mez
Pseudananas sagenarius (Arruda) Camargo
Puya gigas AndréPuya Puya oxyan LB. LB. Mez LB. Mez Smit Smit
Puya pyram (R. Smit BO
IHO toCO toVE
RECU
UCO BR toPER &SU &PE PA AR
11
IECU
36
PER BO
21
COS CO VE &BR
x
LCO
6,8
EC PE
6,7,8,x
6,7,8, x
26
26
CM,FI
15,21,27
3
11
24
3
26
Puya Tillan Puya Tillan Roem sodir raimo webe bifior capil carls &Schu Harm Mez Ruíz Mez Ruíz LB. &P) &Pavó Smit Schu in
35
36
3
12
14,21
Tillan
fascic dasyl chart LB. Sw. LB. Smit
r--
Tillan
Tillan
Tillan lamp macu maxim oroge guate incar (Ruíz Lillo Stand Ruíz H.B. LB. &Pavó &Haum LB. &Pavó Smit &LO. Smit PER CO
Poir ME CO BO toBR
Will
XUS,
RGA
XCO tonw BO toCA CH &BO SA BR ARFR
FM
17
35
26
10,35
x
Puya sp.
Tillan oroye Mez ME CA WI tonSA
Streptocalyx
pond
(Aechmea)
LB.
longifolius
Smit PER BO AR
(Rudge) Baker
Tillandsia benthamiana K1otzsch ex Baker
Tillan purpu Ruíz &Pavó ME
RME
GME GA
RME GU toCO toNIC toCA toBO SAFOMR
COR FOR
x
FR,FU
10,35,36
17,x
14,31
5, 17 M
Tillandsia complanata Benth.
Tillandsia erubescens Sch1ect.
11,36
Tillandsia gilliesii Baker
26
Tillandsia ionochroma André ex Mez
5,7
18
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596
Us 01 Br
Ethnobotany 01 Bromeliaceae 597
enae Aechme Figure fibers 14.1. magdal and Bramel sitting leaves. on uses. ahammo (B) (A) AQuijos
made Quich
fram the man woma plant. comb extrac Aechm fibers magd fram com lecte cenc Figu is for 14.2 edib fibe fuel Bra (C) (B) (D) Puy Infl Till use rai (co usn of gra Ae (ASh an in soPe oth ma (cba Ti Th sp mfrA lebac min (i b
being sold for Christmas decorations in Quito, Ecuador.

'T~e~e frmt icate mthe fragran were shape some [and] of [fruits] apille excelle like Calle, articho twice flavor' as plants (Purse big, which but four fruit 1972) times is excel As as tall, with whic and other it New (Laf
the tropics. Today, we associa the fruit with Hawa but the Hawa sum inBol et al. 199 and Arg Sho Us api 01 (B19 Br of Tma HQd an Tru ac
598 Ethnobotany 01 Bromeliaceae
plant pineapp
like the Irish patato, origina inSouth Amer Hawa did
tus, A. through lucidus Ananas A. the paragu isderived New World from and the tropics Tupí-G Pseud by the time langu sagen Colum an
( Purseglove
whic idiom arriv
1972)
also still zebr
599
Pineapple also impressed other European explorers. Oveido wrote in bis
Historia General y Naturales de las Indias, of 1535, '[t]here are no other
fruits in the whole world to equal them for their beauty of appearance, del-
World
growing
domesticates, Spanish explorers carried pineapples to all corners of
to1500 between
not receive its first pineapples until the early 1800s.
mented mID. best pineapp
Pineapple probably originated in the Paraná-Paraguay River drainage
system (Purseglove 1972). Indigenous peoples were already cultivating the
Resemblance to a pille Calle (piña in Spanish) prompted the English llame
spoken in Paraguay and southern Brazil. Ananas ananassoides, A. bractea-
yield edible fruits, are all possible ancestors of the pineapple (Brücher
1989). Certain species of Aechmea, Bromelia and Greigia also bear edible
fruits (Fig. 14.2B).Today, also often made eaten beverag 635 from fresh, Howev and betwee Aechm 2500 ismade but ranks 25' mm crops much freID Nand magda among and can of pineap frost surviv the Slatitud the comm is most absent Brome where fruits where widely (Purse inPanam alsod harve rainfa annua cultiv precip B. range is (Duk 1972) canne hemis tropic from Fruit 1986 Afer- fruits terre
B. nidus-p B. pinguin and B. plumie fruits (von Reis and Lipp 1982 1000 Altc Guz Mo eat acu the you G. inf edu G. me an dr an wim Gm
water trapped in the phytotelmata of Tillandsia oroyensis (Franquemont et
al. 1990) much as the Seminole of southern Florida once used Tillandsia
utriculata (Bennett, field notes).
Alcorn 1984; Duke 1986; Mabbe 1987) Selle indige Ame falls
consum bromel leaves and merist The tender leaf bases of Puya and are use rela van Rei Puy and sod Lip 19 is a'fa pr th foof raAsp be (vR
Forage
mel enou toxi pois hos skin frog sec tokill ass pro peo the hun (Pe by aco the 19 an Kowb su to ar of
by numerous species including Aechmea tessmannii, A. tillandsioides, A.
and many forest people in turn eat these primates (Fig. 14.3A). Hunting is
more successful where forest canopies host abundant phytotelm
Bromeliaceae. Other animals also depend on these plants and Selle of their
cled bear (Tremarctos ornatus).
hamata Asweet in Altchul and souther Tilland are drink eaten Ecuado is The compla concoc in Pilla salad (Benzi sand of from leaves Mexic 1980). ground young are occasi Leaf into inflore used bases flour towrap of (von eat P. T. sodiro and Reis tamal erube soft Altch
Dendrobatid frogs inhabit the tanks of Selle epiphytic bromeliads. Most
leaf are (von tissue
indigenous people tip poison darts with phytotoxins (often species of
edibl
Loganiaceae and Menispermaceae), but inhabitants of Colombia's Chocó
and Reis T. field coll cons Mul
One dendrobatid species is so potent that a single individual contains
tutes.Sco eat of Pep oth pul ani con lea (vo bro Re A19 gi tho ag
stre seed web feed biflo Till rec sho (M19 NAp
197 note on of Ben the T. brom P. cha foli lasi tohelp (vo amo 198 Rei of rais inc T. van P. Puy oth fas Alt dom oxy Re fer (vo Pu and 19 an Re T. Lip soP. ion gu P. Fr P. Al we pyPsoaP 19 pi Be 19 T. Ca wT spaT et Sm al sh 19 19 an 1fi ath ll
throughout much of Amazonia. Fermented and nonfermented drinks are
notes; Franquemont et al. 1990).
recurvata inflorescences, apparently attracted by the high sugar content
c
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Us of Br
600 Ethnobotany of Bromeliaceae 601
r
o
"
"
"
"
"
~
inflores Figure foods of 14.3. the Brome! woolly in apatch monke uses of terrestr (Lagot (contin specim lagoth (A) Brom (B) shown Leaf are bases here one forag of
Puya the for raim prefe youn guIn (B) or~t Tilla 14.4 pig in the (cui Bro iono hig feed (D) use kno of Hu (co Per as (CPu hu ayo (ATi inQu we Qu spka bo isus se wawm as ar awd co f
Figu
aya huicunto in Quechua, is used as a funeral decoration in the highlands of Perno
collected for fue! in Perno
.......
frollI a Tillandsia ionochroma leaf.

the Soukup souther and southea coastal 1970). Andes, deserts Puya United assume of weberb Peru States, except and Ecuad P. adomin weber impor (Benn specie flouri field for on valley notes this in reaso the slope Rowe resul in 1963 Leaf the chol (pro flo of bil de di (cp
602 Ethnobotany 01 Bromeliaceae
Fue!
Several species each in Tillandsia and Puya provide fuel in the high Andes
At ignites. least The 25 bromel highlan Quech species posses of southe purpo Peru therap use the leaf prope bases of P. not rai- leav indom appl and brok frui are use (So hall todisi ani Hu 197 (A19 Ay wo use the 19M19 sam (vo pla Ba Re an to po co Li A1D 19 of fu Bc in ad
Uses 01 Bromeliaceae
603
powerful abortifacient. Serotonin, a vasoconstrictor, further characterizes
this fruit. Antihelmintic (vermifuge), antiscorbutic (treatment for scurvy),
spiration), diuretic, ecbolic (smooth muscle stimulant), emmenagogic
(agent that increases menstrual flow), purgative and refrigerant (relieving
bases and stems burn long and hot. Villagers near Cuyo-Cuyo, Peru set tires
to enhance the growth of this terrestrial bromeliad. Like Serenoa repens in
employ phytote
open habitat.
for headac of Aechm
Burning destroys
dizzine bracte
foliage
eye to troubl treat rever.
and eliminates
and upset The same fluid are
competing
stoma
species,
cause relie that of
rever or
cram Car
producing
(Du pap
cooling
198 for tre
sensation)
Tri oe
activities
fro Br
are algo
pl
attributed
lea
to pine-
1986; Schultes and Raffauf 1990; Bennett et al. 1999). Steroids from pineapple
foliage possess oestrogenic activity.
Boiled, young Bromelia alsodes leaves serve as a poultice to treat trauma
but the rhizomes survive. Fire algo promotes rapid regrowth, which may be
more palatable to domesticated animals. Charred leaf bases are easier to
collect after their spiny leaves have been removed, and this material readily
.Bromel
mondii in similar fashion (Figs. 14.2C,14.3B).
is current market byWillia H. Rorer Inc. under the llame
Medicine
promote 1982). wound healing (Physi Desk Relere 1984; Hens
a surprising
Apoultice
number
of
considering
young leaves
that
is
indigenous
applie to
cultures
sprain
tend
(Aye
to use
1981 rubb edly (Ay spec Two pitc The whi foli gen tric Pit of Pi an Pu an co sem
retic and vermifuge are prepared from its fruits (Morton 1981). Bromelia
nidus-puellae berries possess antiscorbutic properties (Duke 1986).
Bromelia pinguin, like pineapple, contains bromelain with effects similar to
Aprep help on 198 ven con An from dys infu Pu inma chi of (M19Wpo yo (A19 isus Pi as ahe he Ainmfr an (p le ae re tr
bronchitis, lung congestion, intestinal parasites and rheumatism (Ayensu
1981;Morton 1981;Núñez Meléndez 1982). Fruits are reported to be anti-
larger
scorbutic and diuretic, and capable of causing blood to flow more freely to
portions of local floras for medicines than for any other purpose (e.g.,
Bennett et al. 1999). Subfamily Bromelioideae contains the largest number
applied to burns (von Reis Altchu11973; Morton 1981).
of medicinal species. The Huastecs of Mexico drink water drawn from the
min mad
lEcu 197 from
spicata
Puy Van Rei flow
are mixed
(So con and is Lip
with
197 app Pu (19
honey
Ch sod tohe no
to treat
Ve the sh (CV1Ale tre
thrush and
19
to tre of pnwa
to heal cut umbilical cords
from 'eating toa many chiles' (Alcorn 1984). Lowland Quichua in Ecuador
allow children to inhale vapors from boiling A. zebrina leaves to relieve
insomnia (Alarcón 1988).
chome shields) from the abaxial surfaces of Pitcairnia integrifolia leaves is
Ananas comosus has medical utility attributable to the presence of brom-
ground Pitcairnia pungens root is used for kidney and liver ailments, and
the cooked mixture works as a diuretic (von Reis and Lipp 1982).
Ananase to treat inflammation and related pain. Topical applications algo
Rural people apply pineapple juice for similar purposes (Núñez Meléndez
decoction of Puya floccosa has purgative properties (von Reis Altchul
Pineapple is algo used to treat jaundice, ulcers, intestinal ailments, sore
throats, urinary problems and dyspeptic flatulence. Sweetened juice pro-
(Benzing 1980). Peruvian highlanders alleviate throat inflammation, ear-
Venezuela. Juice expressed from the vegetative buds is ingested to treat resaches,
fiase bleeds and swellings withjuice from the flowers of an undeterpiratory
ailments, and that from unripe pineapples supposedly works as a
.
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with Ecuado cences amedica the Tilland more alcohol (Benne wide1y treat is derived earache taken emp10 fie1d a1so each notes). from include with mornin Tilland Tcapilla An juice import infusio to from cure (Franq medic of Guzm isTrecur anemi Tillan or specie mono kidne benth et its al. uti1it The 1990 troub Chac inflo inclu One mixe (von of Tilla 198 Mé1 spe (19 by the 199 Le Us des 01 of Ho the us Sh of seCa at uf
water head infusion of crushed Tschied 1eave and app1y the fo1ia to the
604 Ethnobotany 01 Bromeliaceae
Peru to relieve rever and headac (Alcor 1984)
Reis
acontrac
Altchul1973). High1and Quechua speakers in Peru treat coughs with
decoctio Huastec treat women of dandru Tilland drink but with consid adecoct xiphioi arinse this flower made practic from
report dange ahandf this p1ant dimin (Alco of (Ben Tusneo chest 1990 raiD as lata fune and wer Tiono use of towra bro (Be som is lon Pe 19 Bo mu sp Ti (T19 ar ca gi hin an Tm th
605 Br1
lllaize-p1anting ritua1s to the resemb1ance between the immature inflorescences
and young corn sta1ks and to the exceptiona110ngevity of dis10dged
epiphytes in dry environments such as an altar.
Severa1 Tillandsia species serve contrasting purposes in southern Peru.
(Usher 1974), and hot baths made from severa Tillan speci reduc
High1and Quechua speakers adorn wedding sites with Tillandsia biflora
treatments of hemorrhoids, gallb1adder afilictions and menstrua1 irregu1arities
(Morton 1981; Núñez Me1éndez 1982). The Huastecs drink a co1d
indigenous idiom, and display shiny red or green 1eaves. The'Quechua place
Many
Tillandsia
of the
usneoides
bromel
is the
emplo
most wide1y
in re1igi
distributed
festiv
bromeliad,
posse
hence,
ornam
not
surprising1y,
tal and ritual
the
va1ue.
species
Co1um
with the
report
most
that
varied
some
medicinal
Nativ Amei
utility. Its
hung hard Jam et (Ben al.
ash-co10red
1im 199 Ki1 fiel of Hig
Tillandsia
har not des tim Fig Qu
sphaerocephala
in 14. Tusn afrin spe Tz sh as se 'an spha
shoots
(B T. inan us
on
anW1 Tina Tuo in
caskets at funeral s,
perhaps to signify death. Its Quechua llame, aya huicunto, means death or
soul bromeliad (Fig. 14.4A,B). According to the archaeo10gical record, the
uses
include treatments for coughs, rever, hemorrhoids, hernias, meas1es, mouth
sores, rheumatic arthritis, sores, and ai1ments of the 1ung, 1iver, kidney and
Tillandsia usneoides serves as a Christmas ornament throughout Latin
heart (Burlage 1968; Soukup 1970; Chávez Ve1ásquez 1977; Núñez
America (Fig. 14.2D), often in nativity scenes as the bed for the Christ
Meléndez 1982; Alcorn 1984; Moerman 1986). The high1and Quechua of
figure (Berlin et al. 1974; Alcorn 1984; Bennett 1990, 1995; Franquemont
Aechme tomes of Catops religiou officia Pitcair and Tillan a10ng and religio Vriesi shrine on doorw in their of own the
several other species during the Christmas season in Quito, Ecuador
discomfort associated with neuritis (Steele 1964).
same with Guzma eduard G. melino and G. mono (Ben et puel Add use fit Do of the cat de so faFe
doorways during celebrations (Ber1in et al. 1974). Most important,
perhaps, is its cultural significance in the southern United States: co1umnist
198 Duk B. plum 198 An and ass Pu gig foo pro or fib ga pr fr
ible part of the Southern character; it b1urs, concea1s, softens, wraps the
Ornamental and rituallmythical
Miscellaneous
crowns of pineapp1e 1eaves ayer the entrances to their houses as a sign of
hospita1ity, a tradition that continues in Europe and North America.
Carib warriors in the West Indies produced an arrow poison from decaying
Pineapp1e motifs are carved on doorways and gateposts as welcome signs
pineapp1e fruits (Haughton 1978). Llipta, a substance obtained from the
(Haughton 1978). Tzelta1 speakers in Mexico suspend specimens of
(Franquemont et al. 1990), yie1ds the a1kalinity needed to release the active
constituents from chewed coca 1eaves (Erythroxylum coca). Living felices
househo1ds (Berlin et al. 1974).
constructed of Aechmea magdalenae, Ananas comosus, Bromelia nidus-
Immigrants from the sierra and indigenous Quichua place Aechmea tessmannii,
A. tillandsioides and A. zebrina on trees around their 10w1and
houses from marauders (Bennett, fie1d notes; Pérez-Arbe1áez 1956; Morton
Ecuadorian tomes (Bennett, fie1d notes). The Ecuadorian Shuar do the
bonus.
al., 1999). Huastecs decorate their fiesta sites with Bromelia alsodes (Alcorn
Quechua chi1dren make whistles from the 1eaves of Tillandsia ionochroma
1984 A
an co a
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(Fig. coastal meliad. 14.4D; Peru, Bennet mourne 1990, someti 1995). spell Huaste the decea use T. usneo perso llame as nesti with
At culture least (Table Atea 10 bromel prepare 14.3). Annua species from the pineap have yellow comm produ flower of impor Guzm excee 107 melin beyon metri horti long, sup-
606
607
more iban half of which
Ethnobotany
carne from
of
Thaila
Bromeliaceae
(FAO Produ Year
Indigenous management of bromeliads
Table 14.4. Commonly cultivated bromeliads and those with
material in chicken houses (Franquemont et al. 1990). Latin Americans
commercial value
often erect a monument where someone has died along a trail or road. In
made people. Tourists from
transplanted
Bromel pay Aechme up
Tillandsia
lacinio toUS$60 magda
purpurea.
B. pingui for quality and
Forlorn
and Anana hamm B.
travelers
plumi comos and
used
algo fiber US$5
the
yield by
same
comm indig for shigr
material
The
to inscribe 'infiernillo' (little hell) at one remate outpost (Goodspeed 1961).
The lowland Quichua of Ecuador practice the most beguiling use of a broposedly
contains a powerful aphrodisiac (Bennett, field notes).
Commercial
1987).Quichu speaker inEcuado sell Tillan incarn T. usneo and fallo Tilla dist and usn
xFI
betw cul an wi flo
xFI FI
isof MORM FO FM MRM
=-
Cornmercial value Cultivated Usesa
Species -
lep
Aechmea bracteata
Aechmea magdalenae
fore are rela amUse pl inb
Ananas bracteatus
x
Ananas comosus
x
FI
Bromelia laciniosa
Bromelia
for 1992 and 1993, cited in Simpson and Connor-Ogorzaly 1995). Local
industries
no (Bennet market field
rely
remains notes).
on a
for A4-oz
wider
its
range
fibers bag in of
of
the Spanis
laxa.
United moss States retails for US$3 but gard
pinguin
alth itma per in ab agpO
x x
Bromelia plumieri
Bromelia serra
Greigia sodiroana
Neoglaziovia
plant. Bromel John Daly phytote discove someti an anesth harbor in fauna askin more extrac valua of the iban poiso the thei edib
variegata
x x FI
frui bef An com wa in(B1
Tillandsia incarnata x O
Som unim gen
x
fibers, and the latter produces marketable fruit (Brücher 1989; McVaugh
dwellin
1989). Greigia
frogs
sodiroana
have much
fruits
medica
are sold
potent
in Ecuador.
(Penn
Bromelia
1992) caT follo tran suc Ma as Ae ep til or fa re in li tb
Note: aFor explanation of abbreviations, see Tab1e 14.2.
I
Indigenous management of bromeliads
Aec
in tropical iban in temperate latitudes. Likewise, boundaries between fields,
serra provides
caraguata or chaguar fiber used to manufacture sacks, cordage and, some
day perhaps, paper (Mabberley 1987). Neoglaziovia variegata forms the
(Bennett 1992b). Ananas comosus grows only as a cultigen in fields and
basis of a substantial fiber industry in Brazil, with 10000 to 15000 tons of
fiber annually. Known as caroá, ibis material is well suited for nets, and
commonly cultivated brome1iads are listed in Table 14.4. Aechmea bract-
offers promise as a component of artificial silk (Clark 1965; Mabberley
cata (Central America) and Ananas bracteatus (Paraguay) were farmed for
other Tillandsia species for Christmas decorations for up to US$1 per plant
subcategory.Aseco aged serv Som by them brom rem mag man Till com are inold usn nei tec fal pla aco apra co Pu no ra ar of sa of pr se em an Pwa ep dem
of the And isgen ign ex at Ch tom inp
as forests and fields are converted for bUllan use. Higher yields are encour-
dart frog Epipedobates tricolor (Pennisi 1992). Epibatidine, the active constituent,
operates through a novel mechanism. Alkaloids from bromeliad-
not sown, but they are often spared when clearing occurs. Prescribed tires
enhance plant utility as fuel in addition to eliminating weeds.
~
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a
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o
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x F
x x F
x x F
x x F
x F
x F
I
,
F
O
,
M
E
I
,
F
O
,
M
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,
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Npr efmto sc

ocepha cultivat time duced the (Benne survivo 1990, Tilland 1995) are strepto dislod (Benz from rack 1980) faces and so T. anim spha
and modern Europe toTrinida societie arrived in1924 alike (Brüch use (Willia many 1989). brome 1951) Aechm specie Porte magd petro and we was must intro con- has
608
wide
Ethnobotany oi Bromeliaceae
necessary to maintain supplies in much of South America. Overcollection
15
for fiber and disease eliminated some populations, prompting attempts to
(Ben kno 199 Les Mo app bro are twad comof faha thbo othe
Endangered Brome1iaceae
mar eat them; harvest of the latter species is limited. Most individual s grow
on inaccessible rack faces and thus are naturally protected.
Humans have expanded the ranges of many useful bromeliads. Ananas
comosus occurred throughout tropical America and the Caribbean by the
(Cha arbo mem veg of this fam at ma sig we mo inf tro imfop AsiB
recently naturalized in Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area (Fort
Lauderdale, Florida). Billbergia pyramidalis and Dyckia brevifolia have
mor Brom than 4and abo ahan 5). Too hal of litt of tax the inf are fam tru sodo en is av (C6ath in th co lio
established elsewhere in the state (Wunderlin 1998). Indigenous cultures
The rapid and accelerating destruction of the world's tropical forests is
sider this fact when developing conservation strategies. Further linguistic
mated 300000 species of higher plants occur in these biomes, and epiphy-
analyses and ethnobotanical study will identify additional bromeliads, and
tes make up to half of the vascular floras of certain tropical forests
determine the efficacy of applications in traditional medicine.
kilo
and provide substrates and other resources for much canopy-based fauna,
their preservation is vital to broader conservation efforts. Terrestrial
where climates are harsh (e.g., cool or hot and dry) or substrates (e.g., rack)
mandate unusual plant adaptations to obtain nutrients and water
By cont at T. aden alb of T. ~50 gra ram an pe T. sqmto su am
the sizes and genetic structures of bromeliad populations to determine if
the following discussion draws heavily on unpublished observations and
findings on other taxa.
Bromeliads tend to be locally abundant if not as diverse as co-occurring,
ecologically similar flora such as Orchidaceae. Individual phorophytes or
rack faces routinely support hundreds to millions of adults. One of the
many populations of Tillandsiapurpurea in the coastal desert of Peru (Pan-
American highway, kilometer 348 north) covered approximately six square
million ramets (Dimmitt 1989a). Ranges of species vary from exceptionally
braad to as narrow as any reported for other vascular flora. Tillandsia
recurvata occurs discontinuously from the southern United States to southern
Argentina, an arca almost as great as that occupied by the entire family.
M
.
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ot toso m3