Wild Pine

Title

Wild Pine

Author(s)

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Tillandsia utriculata L.

Description

Common Names

Wild Pine, Swollen Wild Pine

Bromeliaceace

Tillandsia utriculata grows without discernible stems up to 2 m in height. The leaves are in a rosette forming a series of cups at their base that can hold water and detritus. The leaves are parallel veined, linear triangular, to 7 cm wide at the base and 1 m in length.

The actinomorphic flowers, each with a subtending bract, are arranged in a panicle of spikes that is 2 -3 times the length of the leaves. The bracts are greenish and tightly appressed to the peduncle. There are 3 green unfused sepals in the calyx that exceed the length of the bracts. There are 3 white petals in the corolla. There are 6 stamens that are longer than the petals. The ovary is superior with 3 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a capsule. Each seed has a tuft of hair to assist in dispersal.

Tillandsia utriculata grows as a solitary plant and dies off after a single flowering event.

Tillandsia utriculata occurs as an epiphyte or lithophyte in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation- Forest/Shrublands (coppice) with a limestone substrate.

Tillandsia utriculata grow on all island groups within the Bahamian Archipelago as well as Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean region and central and South America

Tillandsia utriculata has been used in the Bahamas medicinally to treat thrush and sexual impotence in men.