Neoregelia carolinae is a species of epiphytic flowering plant in the family Bromeliaceae native to the coastal Southeast Region of Brazil, where it is known from as far north as the state of Espírito Santo to as far south as Santa Catarina.[1] It is noted as being particularly common in and around Petrópolis, just north of Rio de Janeiro, including in the Tinguá Biological Preserve and the Montanhas de Teresópolis Municipal Nature Park.[1]
| Neoregelia carolinae | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Bromeliaceae |
| Genus: | Neoregelia |
| Subgenus: | Neoregelia subg. Neoregelia |
| Species: | N. carolinae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Neoregelia carolinae (Beer) L.B.Sm.
| |
One of the more popular bromeliads in cultivation, being common in gardens, landscapes and private collections globally, the species is notable for its center "cup" turning a vivid scarlet-red just prior to flowering—thus earning the plant its common name, the 'blushing bromeliad'.[2]
The leaves of Neoregelia carolinae may mature to around 12 inches (30.48 cm) in length by several inches across, making it a mid-sized to larger species. The foliage overall is thick, smooth, glossy, and far less serrated along the margins when compared to other bromeliads; some specimens may be virtually spineless, as opposed to the saw-like leaf margins of other bromeliad genera (such as Aechmea or Portea). However, each leaf still is still tipped with a blunted "spine" or point.
As its common name indicates, the center of the plant becomes bright red as the plant matures and prepares to flower. The blossoms are small, barely exceeding 3 cm (1"), if that, in height. The blooms appear in the center of the plant as a grouping of small, light-colored stars. As with many bromeliads after being pollinated, the main "mother" plant will eventually wither and die, typically leaving behind multiple offsets or young plantlets.
References
edit- ^ a b "Observations • iNaturalist".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Blushing Bromeliad". houseplantsexpert.com. House Plants Expert. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- Martinelli, Gustavo; Vieira, Cláudia Magalhães; Gonzalez, Marcos; Leitman, Paula; Piratininga, Andréa; Costa, Andrea Ferreira da; Forzza, Rafaela Campostrini (January 2008). "Bromeliaceae da Mata Atlântica Brasileira: lista de espécies, distribuição e conservação" [Bromeliaceae of the brazilian Atlantic Forest: checklist, distribution and conservation]. Rodriguésia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 59 (1): 209–258. doi:10.1590/2175-7860200859114.
- BSI Cultivar Registry Retrieved 11 October 2009