Bromeliads

Bromeliads (watercolor) 2010 Work in Progress

Bromeliads are widely varying tropical plants, the most familiar of which is the pineapple. I became fascinated with these colorful plants after seeing them growing in my condo community in Florida. The bromeliad family also includes Spanish Moss, which is neither Spanish nor a moss. There are three different types of bromeliads. Terrestrial species are found growing in the ground. Saxicolous species grow on rocks. Epiphytis species grow on other plants or even telephone poles. They are sometimes called air plants.

Christopher Columbus introduced the pineapple to Spain upon returning from his voyage to the New World. He found pineapples growing in the West Indies. Within the last hundred years, bromeliads have become more widely used as ornamental plants. I went to the gardening section of Home Depot to photograph some of the many varieties of bromeliads that are sold to homeowners in Florida. I am struggling to paint these complex plants. Where is my watercolor class when I need it?