Guzmania (a tufted airplant) is a genus of over 120 species of flowering plants in the botanical family Bromeliaceae. Guzmania, Vriesea and Tillandsia are names of varieties within the family and, interesting, the Ananas (Pineapple) also belongs to this family.
It is believed that Bromeliads first existed in Cretaceous era around 65 million years ago. Fossils have been dated at 30 million years ago, thus confirming their reputation as some of the original inhabitants of the planet. Inca’s, Aztecs and Mayans used every part of the plant for food, shelter, fibre and ceremonies. It is interesting that the original Bromeliad was not so very different from the varieties you find today: so if you have one of these, you have a piece of natural history, all dressed in the latest fashion.
Guzmania are mainly stemless, evergreen, epiphytes (plants that are supported by other plants and have aerial roots exposed to the humid atmosphere) perennials native to Florida, the West Indies, southern Mexico, Central America, and northern and western South America. They are found at altitudes of up to 3,500m (11,483ft) in the Andean rainforests.
The genus name is for Anastasio Guzman, Spanish pharmacist and naturalist who died in 1807 during the course of an expedition to Ecuador, in search of the lost treasure of the Incas.
The most striking thing about Guzmania are the brightly coloured bracts (such as yellow, red, white, pink, purple, or variegated) that grow out of a beautiful rosette and together form a kind of funnel, even though other shapes are also possible. Between the bracts you will see stunning flowers emerging.
