Wallisia cyanea, or pink quill, is a species of plant of the genus Wallisia in the bromeliad family, native to the rainforests of Ecuador. An epiphytic perennial growing to 50 cm (20 in) high by 50 cm (20 in) wide, it has stemless rosettes of thin, recurved leaves and paddle-shaped spikes of 20 pink bracts with violet flowers, in spring and autumn.[2]
| Wallisia cyanea | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Bromeliaceae |
| Subfamily: | Tillandsioideae |
| Genus: | Wallisia |
| Species: | W. cyanea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Wallisia cyanea Barfuss & W.Till[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The Latin specific epithet cyanea means "blue", referring to the intense purple-violet hue of the flowers.[3]
With a minimum temperature of 7 °C (45 °F), this plant is often cultivated as a low-maintenance houseplant in temperate regions, often sold alongside orchids or by itself.[2] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]
Wallisia cyanea was formerly placed in Tillandsia, but following DNA analysis, was reassigned to Wallisia.[5]
Cultivars of W. cyanea include Wallisia 'Anita' and Wallisia 'Sandy'.[6][7]
Gallery
edit- Wallisia cyanea
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Blue inflorescence -
Blue inflorescence -
Pink spikes of bracts -
Plants in cultivation
References
edit- ^ a b "Wallisia cyanea Barfuss & W.Till". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- ^ a b RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Tillandsia cyanea". Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- ^ "Bromeliads in Australia - DNA / New genera". www.bromeliad.org.au. Retrieved 2019-06-15.
- ^ BSI BCR Entry for 'Anita'
- ^ BSI BCR Entry for 'Sandy'
