Growing Pitcairnias and Pepinias

摘要

The genus Pitcairnia was named after a London doctor, Pitcairn. Species of Pitcairnia can be found from southern Mexico and the West Indies south to northern Argentina and Peru. The only bromeliad species whose native habitat is outside of the Americas is a pitcarinia, namely, P. feli-ciana, which grows on cliff faces in tropical West Africa. Some botanists argue the genus Pepinia should be included in the Pitcairnia genus. However, in this article the distinction has been maintained, following the BSIs "An Alphabetical List of Bromeliad Binomials" by Harry Luther. There are over 250 species in these two genera. Many pitcairnias and pepinias are grass-like plants that grow in the ground (terrestrials) or on rocks (lithophytes). A few are epiphytes.Most grow in moist, shady locations. Typically, they form a clump that develops through underground rhizomes. Some pitcairnias and pepinias have relatively spineless leaves, while others range from only slightly spiny to very spiny.