Ornamental pineapple, Cerrado pineapple
Ananas comosus var. microstachys

Family: Bromeliaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows to 1 m high. A plant which grows in the soil. The leaves are in a ring from the base. They are 1-1.6 m long and 2-.5 cm wide. The leaves are long and narrow. They have teeth along the edge. The spines are curved. The flowering stalk is like a cylinder and is 9-15 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. The fruit is made up of cell united like a pineapple. It is 5 cm long.

There are 8 Ananas species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows up to 600 m altitude. It is best in rich, moist well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guianas, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten raw and also used for drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by division. If seeds are used they should be dipped in dilute sulphuric acid to improve their germination. It is grown as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Abacaxizinho, Nanai, Pina chica

Synonyms

Acanthostachys ananassoides Baker; Ananas ananassoides (Baker) L. B. Smith; Ananas nanus (L. B. Sm.) L. B. Smith; and others