Vriesea

Vriesea is a genus of flowering plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas, with many species in Central and South America and some in the Caribbean. The majority of species are epiphytic, growing on trees in rainforests, but a number are terrestrial. They are popular ornamental plants because of their showy inflorescences and foliage.

Plants form rosettes of upright, straplike leaves. Leaves are typically green, sometimes with reddish or purplish tones on the underside or along the margins. The inflorescence grows from the center of the rosette and consists of brightly colored bracts that may be red, orange, pink, or yellow; the true flowers are small and inconspicuous and often fade as the bracts persist.

Named after Willem Hendrik de Vriese (1782–1867), the genus Vriesea is placed in the subfamily Tillandsioideae of the Bromeliaceae. It is closely related to Guzmania and Tillandsia.

In cultivation, Vriesea require bright, indirect light, warm temperatures, and high humidity. They are grown in well-draining media suitable for epiphytic bromeliads, or mounted on bark. Water is often kept in the central tank formed by the leaf rosettes; the soil should not be consistently waterlogged. Fertilization should be light and occasional.

After flowering, many species produce offsets or pups at the base, which can be separated when they have developed their own roots.

Notable species include Vriesea splendens (the flaming sword), Vriesea hieroglyphica, Vriesea fosteriana, and Vriesea carinata. Some species are threatened by habitat loss and collection in the wild.