''Aechmea fasciata'' is a species of flowering plant in the

Bromeliaceae The Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) are a family of monocot Monocotyledons (), commonly referred to as monocots, (Lilianae ''sensu'' Chase & Reveal) are grass and grass-like flowering plants (angiosperms), the seeds of which typically contain o ...

family. It is commonly called the silver vase or urn plant and is native to Brazil. This plant is probably the best known species in this genus, and it is often grown as a houseplant in temperate areas.

Description

The plant grows slowly, reaching in height, with a spread of up to . It has elliptic–oval-shaped leaves long and arranged in a basal rosette pattern.

Growing conditions

''Aechmea fasciata'' requires partial shade and a well-drained, but moisture-retentive soil. It can also be grown

epiphytically An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

, as, for example, with moss around its roots and wired to rough bark.

Root rot Root rot is a condition in which anoxic conditions in the soil or potting media around the roots of a plant cause them to rot. This occurs due to excessive standing water around the roots. It is found in both indoor and outdoor plants, although ...

can be a problem if the soil is too moist. If potted, the soil should contain ample acidic organic matter. The rosette formed by the leaves should be kept filled with water. Propagation is from side shoots that naturally develop around the base of the main rosette.

Scale insect Scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha. Of dramatically variable appearance and extreme sexual dimorphism, they comprise the infraorder Coccomorpha which is considered a more convenient grouping than the ...

s and mosquitos will sometimes breed in the pools of water that are trapped between the leaves.

Toxicity

''Aechmea fasciata'' is listed in the FDA Poisonous Plant Database under the section for "Skin irritating substances in plants" and is known to cause contact dermititis, phytophoto dermatitis, and contact allergy.

Cultivars

References

*
BSI Cultivar Registry
Retrieved 11 October 2009

External links

* * fasciata Flora of Brazil Epiphytes House plants Taxa named by John Gilbert Baker Taxa named by John Lindley {{Aechmea-stub