Queen of the Andes
Puya raimondii

Family: Bromeliaceae

What it is like

A column like plant that grows 9.5 m tall. It dies after fruit is formed. The stem is simple and erect and 4 m tall by 60 cm wide. There is a dense ring of leaves. The leaves can be 1-1.25 m long. The leaf sheaths are 15 cm wide. The leaf blades are stiff and spreading and 9 cm wide. At first they have white scales. The flower stalk is 4.3 m long by 60 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the high Andes. It grows between 2,400-4,050 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The inner core of the flower stalk is dried and powdered and used as a spice. The flower stalk pulp is fermented into an alcoholic drink.

Edible parts

Flower stalk - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pourretia gigantea Raimondi ex Herrera;