Fascicularia


Fascicularia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the pineapple family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae. The genus name is from the Latin fasciculus and arius.
Only one species is known, Fascicularia bicolor. It is endemic to Chile and reportedly naturalized in France and the extreme south and west of Great Britain. In the wild, all Fascicularias are saxicolous or epiphytes.
It is cultivated in gardens for the dramatic bright crimson colour of its leaves contrasting with the blue inflorescence.
The edible fruits are similar to those of the species Greigia sphacelata, but smaller; They are consumed in the same way as these.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized:
  • Fascicularia bicolor subsp. bicolor
  • Fascicularia bicolor subsp. canaliculata E.C.Nelson & Zizka