Pitcairnioideae
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| Pitcairnioideae | ||||||||||||
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 Pitcairnia grafii inflorescence
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Piticairnioidaeae is the terrestrial subfamily of the bromeliads (Bromeliaceae). Unlike the many epiphytes and lithophytes which comprise the rest of the family, with a few exceptions, all of the members of this subfamily are either terrestrial or saxicolous. Common to arid and high-altitude regions, this subfamily is considered to have the most ancient lineage, more closely resembling its grassy relatives than the exotic novelties represented in the other two subfamilies. The commonly cultivated genera belonging to this subfamily are Dyckia, Hechtia, Pitcairnia and Puya.
[edit] Description
Most Pitcairnioidaeae leaves are fleshy with heavy spines on the edges, and resemble agave. Their blooms contain dry capsules with small, wingless seeds. Like most plants, and unlike most other bromeliads, this group has a developed root system to gather water and nutrients. Similarly, not all Pitcairnioid leaves grow in an effective cup to catch water as is seen in the other families. Leaf trichomes are present in Pitcairnioidaeae but are not effective in gathering nutrients; the trichomes, however, can be sufficiently thick so as to provide a frost barrier essential to its survival (i.e. Puya laxa).
 Dyckia rariflora |
 Puya alpestris |
 Pitcairnia wendlandii in bloom |
