Pingwing
Aechmea magdalenae

Family: Bromeliaceae

What it is like

A pineapple like plant. It is a herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.2 m high and spreads 1.5 m wide. The leaves are spiny. They are 1.5-3 m long. A mature plant has 20-40 leaves.

There are 80-231 Aechmea species and many cultivated varieties. It is used for fibres for mats, ropes and nets.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along streams and in swampy areas. It grows as an understorey plant in tropical lowland rainforest. It can tolerate salt water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are acid and can be eaten raw or cooked. They can also be made into drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is grown from suckers.

It takes 5 to 20 years to flower.

Its other names

Local names

Gangabo, Ixtle, Pasa, Pina del campo, Pinuela, Pinuela silvestre, Pita, Sanu tape

Synonyms

Aechmea magdalene var. quadricolor M. B. Forster; Ananas magdalene (Andre) Standl.; Chevaliera magdalenae Andre; and others