Bromeliad

/broʊˈmeɪliæd/ noun

Definition

A tropical plant from the pineapple family, often with colorful leaves or flowers, many of which grow attached to trees rather than in soil.

Etymology

From 'Bromeliaceae' (the plant family) + '-ad' (suffix denoting a member of a group). Coined as common terminology in the 20th century for ornamental cultivation of these plants.

Kelly Says

Bromeliads are rainforest engineers—their leaves form natural water tanks that become entire ecosystems for insects, frogs, and microscopic creatures, essentially creating a tiny world suspended in the forest canopy.

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