Check out this odd looking plant from the bromeliad family. It’s native to South America.
This species, bromelia balasae, is closely related and looks very similar to the pineapple plant.
It doesn’t seem to be a very common ornamental plant though in Central Florida, which is why it caught my eye one day during one of my morning walks.
More Florida flowers and foliage: Florida flowers: Beautiful red hibiscus
More Florida flowers and foliage: Florida foliage: Egyptian Starcluster
Florida gardens: Beautiful Florida: Mead Botanical Garden
In the north of Europe we use them as decorative indoor plants.
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Oh really? That’s interesting. 🌱
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Striking colors, particularly as they both are on the same frond. Are those colors a permanent feature, or do they vary with the season?
Fascinating scenery, JoAnn, particularly as you’re situated at the edge of the tropics, just as the treasure chest opens. What’s inside? Have a look!
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Good question. From what I could gather from descriptions apparently the red part is considered the followering stage, which comes late in the plant’s life. Soon the plant will die but not before leaving behind other new little plants to take over. Interesting eh? 🌱
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Definitely, JoAnn. Sounds a lot like the “air plants” one sometimes finds in stores and at flea markets up north here.
Of course, indoors are our only option, whereas you see bromeliads in jaunts around your neighborhood.
Your advantage. I’m jealous. Of course, we have blizzards.
Wait, that isn’t much of a positive, is it? OK, let me think of something else…
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You have skiing. I miss that. And a nice roaring fire in the fireplace when its cold. No need for that here. Just walking around outside in the summer is like being in a fireplace… all summer long 🔥🤣
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Beautiful, such vibrant colors and at the same time not very approachable. The badd-ass of your morning walks it seems 😀
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If it was me, I’d watch out as there might be a spider feeding in there.
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You wouldn’t want to trip and fall into all those spikes! ouch.
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No I’m sure that wouldn’t be pleasant. 😕🍃
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So much beautiful flowered in your Florida,dear!!🍍🍍🍍like the pine apple plant.
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Thanks for visiting my friend 🙂🍍
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You are most welcome,dear!!🌷🌷🌷
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Peculiar and kind of freaky? Yep, that’s Florida alright. Source: I’m a peculiar and kind of freaky Tampa girl, though I’m very far from home now 😁
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Oh? What part of the world did you run off to? I’m originally from the west… will probably move back there some day I would guess. I miss it. Love the weather here though.
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I’m currently in Seattle, but since moving out here I’ve lived in the bay area, as well as Olympia and Tacoma, too. I’m not to keen on the pacific northwest, though. People up here can’t handle my Florida girl assertiveness and attitude. It really makes me miss Tampa sometimes.
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They’re scary indeed and probably fit well in a scary movie scene. 🤓 I’ve recently watched the IT sequel, so it’s the freshest on my mind.
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Lol, yes and they’ve been showing all kinds of horror movies on TV since it’s nearing Halloween so that doesn’t help either. 👻
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It is indeed that season. I’ll likely think of this conversation if I ever see the Egyptian starcluster in person. 🤓I haven’t yet.
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