| Vriesea is a genus of the botanical family
Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is
for Willem Hendrik de Vriese, Dutch botanist, physician
(1806–1862) Containing some of the largest bromeliad species, these
tropical plants harbor a wide variety of insect fauna,
unlike the smaller Catopsis species. In the wild, frogs may
go through their whole life cycle in a bromeliad. This genus
is closely related to Guzmania. Both Guzmania and Vriesea
have dry capsules that split open to release parachute like
seeds similar to the Dandelion. Most Vriesea are epiphytes
and grow soil-less on trees. they have no roots but have
special hold fasts that do not take in any nutrients. All
nutrients are taken in through the center "tank" made by a
rosette of leaves |
