REASONER: THE HIBISCUS 303 varieties of hibiscus now being origi likely that south Florida may soon be nated in Florida, and with the interest known as the leading center of hibiscus shown and the number of experimenters culture, rather than Hawaii, as at the now raising seedlings, it is not at all un present time. BROMELIADS IN FLORIDA HORTICULTURE Mulford B. Foster the Carolinas, and even the southern Orlando section of Virginia can claim some bromelaids, Florida can boast fifteen The cultivation of plants for orna native species, twelve tillandsias, one mental horticulture is followed on the guzmania and two catopsis. This af premise that beauty is a necessity in your firms the fact that bromeliads like it life and mine. Horticulturally brome- here and therefore conditions are favor liads have been developing, and in Flor able to the introduction of others from ida they can provide a very pertinent afar. addition to our gardens, creating more If the bromeliads had not had to de plant interest and decorative value than pend almost entirely on the wind for many other previous additions to the distribution we might have had still Florida scene. more species here in Florida. The ones Bromeliads in Florida are a natural. we have, no doubt, came by way of And in considering bromeliads for Flor Cuba and Mexico, as our native brome ida horticulture first of all we must be liads are also found in these Caribbean aware that they are already here in the countries. We might say that many species of Tillandsia usneoides, (the centuries ago these air-fed, air-domiciled, ubiquitous Spanish Moss); in Tillandsia air-borne seed plants established the utriculata (the "Fountain Plant"), vicin first air communications between this ity Vero and Merritt Island; in Tillandsia country and our Latin American neigh tenuifolia of southern Florida; in the Til bors. Man who feels that he has ad landsia fasciculate, (Cardinal Plant), vanced so considerably in the air needs dense in the cypress swamps around only to study the ages old history of air- Kissimmee; and in Tillandsia recurvata minded plants. (Ball Moss), noticeable in trees along The bromeliads which have already with the Spanish Moss and prominent on traveled on their own as well as the ones telephone wires all over Florida. Just which have traveled in the stomachs of why they seem so happy on telephone beast and bird are now coming into wires would afford a very interesting Florida as introductions to horticulture study. by the man made air routes. There are ten other bromeliads less The native members of this great conspicuous in Florida. All but three of family (commonly known as the pine the seventeen bromeliads native to the apple family) here in Florida are all United States are growing in Florida. epiphytes creating, thus, their own While other States, Texas, Louisiana, natural tree garden. You can see these 304 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1948 tree gardens when you travel from Or south we have seen as many as 5,000 air lando to Kissimmee or Holopaw; when plants living in one tree and although you go to Melbourne or Vero; when you crowded, evidently quite happy. There cross the Tamiami Trail or explore in seemed to be no evidence that the tree the Royal Palm Park, or even in any was burdened or imposed upon, rather it native hammock. Thus the feature of was adorned, apparently enjoying being an air garden already being established host to harmless epiphytes rather than naturally, encourages the garden builder the harmful parasites. to go ahead and make a tree garden on In using bromeliads in Florida garden the oaks or palms in his own yard using designs we have not limited our use of not only the natives but the horticul- them to the air or tree garden. This turally introduced exotics. Good gar versatile family has produced members dening means, in one respect, doing what which can be utilized in the rock garden, nature has already done especially in in the cactus garden, in the sheltered general planting utilizing native material garden, on the seashore, and on the wherever possible. So, in planning a patio. These, of course, are the species tree garden for the home owner we which have been introduced from the always try to include some of our hardy other American countries; except for one native species, the Tillandsias or wild species, the bromeliads do not grow pines as they are sometimes called. outside of the South, Central, and North While man likes the little pat on his American countries. mental ego as being original we doubt There are already a number of exotic very much if he ever is, rather he simply bromeliads in Florida horticulture; these rediscovers and reapplies the features came into Florida by way of Europe and principles which are inherent to where years ago they were choice house everything throughout nature. So, and conservatory plants. while air gardens might be something No doubt the early introductions of new to many people, Floridians can bromeliads into Florida came through point out to visitors our well established the enthusiasm and appreciation of them air gardens where not only bromeliads by Dr. Henry Nehrling, Mr. Theodore flourish but also epiphytic members of Mead and Reasoner Brothers, all of other families such as orchids, cacti, whom had outstanding collections of pipers, and ferns. bromeliads at one time which they re It is interesting to note that the native ceived mostly from the European collec bromeliads in Florida occur on nine dif tions of bromeliads. You may have read ferent species of conifers, those being the exuberant writings of Dr. Nehrling five species of pines, two of cypress on this great family of plants. Florida, (Taxodium) on one white cedar and even now, 20 years since, remains host to on one red cedar. Of course, the rough the introduction of many new brome bark and great spreading branches of the liads; Florida now has one of the world's live oak make this tree an ideal host for outstanding collections. From this collec the air plants. tion bromeliads are being dispersed and The tree gardens of Florida, however, sent to many other countries not only to are but a sample of tree gardens that bolster and renew the old collections exist in the Americas. In the Americas but to distribute the new species that FOSTER: FLORIDA BROMELIADS 305 have been discovered in the past few A third bromeliad which has already years. been in Florida horticulture a long time There is one exotic bromeliad which is the Bromelia serra, a large, sticky ter came originally from Brazil which has restrial which resembles the pineapple already adapted itself to Florida gar plant and even produces a cluster of dens, and so much so that you might say fruits with a pineapple flavor. This it is common. It reproduces rapidly in bizarre looking plant is quite a sight in our loose sandy soil; it also loves climb bloom. The center leaves turn brilliant ing up an oak tree; grows well in any flame-scarlet and out from them a great area of thick leaf mold, or can do just white cylindrical flower head, containing as well in a pot. If you see no other red bracts which cover maroon flowers, bromeliad you will see this one. It is a emerges gradually over a period of con Billbergia pyramidalis, having a plain siderable time. No one can cease to green leaf-tube which sends forth a thrill over this glorious display. brilliant torch-like head of flowers late In our travels in South and Central in the summer. America searching for new bromeliads Aechmea bracteata, an introduced ex for introduction into horticulture, we otic, while not so common a bromeliad have found a bromeliad adaptable to as the Billbergia pyramidalis, is never almost every Florida condition. theless becoming distributed around For example: For our mangrove Florida gardens. It is a native of the swamps there are beautiful Porteas, a Caribbean area and so should be at home genus of the bromeliads which produces in Florida gardens. It stands our frosts showy flower stalks; these thrive in of Central and South Florida very well. Brazil on the roots and trunks of the It produces heavy succulent leaves with mangroves. Perhaps you have been big teeth, the plant sometimes becoming confronted with the problems which a 5 or 6 feet high. In the spring a tall mangrove forest present. Let this prob spike of brilliant red bracts and berries lem be an opportunity for making an is produced which remains in full color usual garden by establishing the large for as long as 6 months. It is an epiphyte rosettes of the Porteas on the multiple- but adapts itself in porous soil very well. rooted mangroves. These Porteas are The Aechmea miniata discolor, intro also quite adaptable to other parts of duced many years ago, while not quite the garden. as well known as either the Aechmea We have found and introduced into bracteata or the Billbergia pyramidalis Florida the gorgeous genus of Quesnelia is nevertheless, around in many collec whose species Q. quesneliana grows right tions throughout the State. It is the down to the sand dunes of the beach first bromeliad that started my collection front in Brazil. This large rosette of 20 years ago. Its beautiful satin-green light green leaves produces a great leaves on the topside and the soft maroon watermelon-pink torch for a flower stalk underside make it a most pleasing plant. creating a glorious sight down the beach.