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
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 👻
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much beautiful flowered in your Florida,dear!!🍍🍍🍍like the pine apple plant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting my friend 🙂🍍
LikeLike
You are most welcome,dear!!🌷🌷🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
You wouldn’t want to trip and fall into all those spikes! ouch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No I’m sure that wouldn’t be pleasant. 😕🍃
LikeLike
If it was me, I’d watch out as there might be a spider feeding in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, such vibrant colors and at the same time not very approachable. The badd-ass of your morning walks it seems 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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? 🌱
LikeLiked by 1 person
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…
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 🔥🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the north of Europe we use them as decorative indoor plants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? That’s interesting. 🌱
LikeLiked by 1 person