Aechmea aquilega

Taxon # 40-51

Aechmea aquilega is a large bromeliad suitable for landscapes. It will grow in full sun, is quite drought hardy, and tolerates cold well (<40°F but above freezing). It's natural distribution is wide ranging: Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela. There is an alba ssp. form from Venezuela.

Name refers to the sharp 'Eagle Beaked' bracts.

Per Derek Butcher's key on the FCBS site - "Flowers densely fascicled, lacking a distinct axis among the flowers; floral bracts without conspicuous hyaline margins; spikelets fascicled." Now that I know fascicled means bunched, it keys out nicely.

Cheers, Greg - PSJPlants - Brevard County, FL (Space Coast)

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