Billbergia thyrsoidea Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f.
Tillandsia farinosa Schult. & Schult.f.
Billbergia atrorosea Drapiez
Billbergia loddigesii Steud.
Pitcairnia fastuosa C.Morren
Billbergia splendida Lem.
Jonghea splendida Lem.
Billbergia croyana De Jonghe ex Lem.
Billbergia miniatorosea Lem.
Billbergia fastuosa (C.Morren) Beer
Billbergia longifolia K.Koch & C.D.Bouché
Billbergia paxtonii Beer
Billbergia punicea Beer
Billbergia lemoinei André
Billbergia andegavensis André
Billbergia schultesiana Baker
Billbergia setosa Baker
Billbergia pyramidalis, commonly known as the flaming torch and foolproof plant, is a
species of
bromeliad that is native to northern
South America and parts of the
Caribbean.[2] It was first described by
John Sims, and got its current name by
John Lindley.[3]
Description
A
perennial, clump-forming stemless bromeliad plant, it is adaptable, growing well as a terrestrial or
epiphytic plant. When on the ground, plants quickly create large clumps, and when planted at the base of a tree, they will slowly climb the trunk. The strap-like, green-coloured, overlaying, leathery leaves are arranged in jar-shaped basal
rosettes, with a central cup that keeps water, organic debris and insects, thus providing extra nutrients to be absorbed by the plant.[4]
The thick, red or pink brush-shaped flowers on an individual plant last less than one month, but nearly all plants will come into bloom at the same time in the late summer or early autumn. In some latitudes, they bloom more frequently. The scarlet-coloured, erect, pyramidal flowers are laid in thistle-like
inflorescences, which are made up of red, tube-shaped flowers with violet or yellow highlights.[5]
Cultivation
Requiring minimal care, the plant is used as
groundcover in partial shade and in a protected position. It is drought and frost sensitive. Being epiphytic, these plants can also be grown in the branching of trees or on
tree ferns. A
slow-release fertiliser may be applied on the base of the plants in spring. Propagation is done by
dividing off the immature parts of the plants in spring or autumn. This plant tolerates between
USDA zones 10a to 12a and may not withstand temperatures below −1.1 °C.[6]
^Sant'Ana Melhem, T., das Graças Lapa Wanderley, M., Ehlin Martins, S., Jung-Mendaçolli, S.L., Shepherd, G.J. & Kirizawa, M. (eds.) (2007). Flora Fanerogâmica do Estado de São Paulo 5: 1–476. Instituto de Botânica, São Paulo.
^da Costa, A.F. & Wendt, T. (2007). Bromeliaceae na região de Macaé de Cima, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rodriguésia; Revista do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal, Jardim Botânico e Estaçao Biologica do Itatiaya 58: 905–939.
^Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1–1192.
^Martinelli, G., Magalhães Vieira, C., Gonzalez, M., Leitman, P., Piratininga, A. Ferreira da Costa, A. & Campostrini Forzza, R. (2008). Bromeliaceae da Mata Atlântica Brasileira: lista de espécies, distribuição e conservação. Rodriguésia; Revista do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal, Jardim Botânico e Estaçao Biologica do Itatiaya 59: 209–258.