Ananas pingouin, Karatas, Camburito
Bromelia karatas
Family: Bromeliaceae
What it is like
Bromelia karatas is an evergreen Perennial growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
Marginal forests bordering savannahs and in deciduous forests, at elevations of 1,300 - 1,500 metres.
S. America - Brazil and Ecuador north through Central America to Mexico and the West Indies.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guianas, Mexico, North America, South America, Suriname, West Indies.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
The very young inflorescences are eaten as a vegetable. The fruit is edible. A pleasant flavour. It is used in the preparation of a refreshing drink called 'Atol de Pina'. The fruit is up to 8cm long. The fruits are edible after removal of thin stinging hairs. Similarly to pineapple, eating too much may cause blisters. Tender leaf bases of young shoots - blanched and eaten as a vegetable or added to soups.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The juice of the plant is used to cicatrize recent sores and wounds. An alcoholic tincture of the juice is used for a detersive on ulcers.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating: 3
The juice (of the whole plant?) is said to be used as a saponin-containing soap substitute. The fibres of mature leaves are used to make cloth, fishing lines, nets and string.
Fencing: Plants that can be used for fencing.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.
String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
A plant of the semi-arid tropics and subtropics. Requires a well-drained soil and a position in full sun.
Propagating it: Seed
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The fruits have thin stinging hairs.
Its other names
Local names
Pinuela
Synonyms
Bromelia acanga L. Bromelia acaulis Stokes Bromelia caratas Hill Bromelia plumieri (E.Morren) L.B.Sm. Karatas karatas (L.) Voss Karatas lagopus E.Morren ex Devans. Karatas plumieri E.Morren Nidularium karatas (L.) Lem.