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''Bromelia balansae'' is a plant
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species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
in the genus ''Bromelia
''Bromelia'' is a genus of about 70 plant species widespread across Latin America and the West Indies. It is the type genus of the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae, and its type species is '' B. karatas''. ''Bromelia'' species are ch ...
''. This species is native
Native may refer to:
People
* Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth
* Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory
** Native Americans (disambiguation)
In arts and entert ...
to Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
, Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
, Colombia, Bolivia, and Paraguay
Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...
where it grows at elevations of 150 to 3,000 feet.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families/ref>
Description
''Bromelia balansae'' is a large terrestrial bromeliad somewhat resembling thepineapple
The pineapple (''Ananas comosus'') is a tropical plant with an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuri ...
. Bromelias
''Bromelia'' is a genus of about 70 plant species widespread across Latin America and the West Indies. It is the type genus of the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae, and its type species is '' B. karatas''. ''Bromelia'' species are ch ...
contain green leaves that grow 2–4 feet long with very sharp spines. When prepared to bloom, the center of the plant becomes bright red and then white prior to releasing an orange fruit - for its flower the plant is known as the "heart of flame," a well-deserved title. The orange-colored fruit it yields is said to make a cooling drink. It is the most commonly cultivated bromelia and may be used as fencing due to its large and rapid growth. It thrives in full sun and is best suited for growing outdoors.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4973594 balansae Flora of South America Plants described in 1891