Flowers
The Family is divided in to three sub families .
1 ) Sub family- Bromelioideae=
Bromelioideae is a subfamily of the bromeliads (Bromeliaceae).
This sub-family is the most diverse amongst the three , represented by the greatest number of genera with 78, but the least number of species with approximately 780.
Most of the plants in this group are epiphytes, though some have evolved in, or will adapt to, terrestrial conditions.
This subfamily features the most plant types which are commonly cultivated by people.( Example=Ananas OR Pine apple)
Description=
The foliage in most Bromelioids grow to form a rosette where water is caught and stored.
Their leaves are usually spined and they produce berry-like fruits in their blooms. These plants contain an inferior ovary.
2 )Sub family-Pitcairnioideae==
Piticairnioidaeae is the terrestrial subfamily of the bromeliads (Bromeliaceae). Unlike the many epiphytes and lithophytes which comprise the rest of the family, with a few exceptions, all of the members of this subfamily are either terrestrial or saxicolous.
Common to arid and high-altitude regions, this subfamily is considered to have the most ancient lineage, more closely resembling its grassy relatives than the exotic novelties represented in the other two subfamilies.
The commonly cultivated genera belonging to this subfamily are Dyckia, Hechtia, Pitcairnia and Puya.
Description
Most Pitcairnioidaeae leaves are fleshy with heavy spines on the edges, and resemble agave.
Their blooms contain dry capsules with small, wingless seeds.
Like most plants, and unlike most other bromeliads, this group has a developed root system to gather water and nutrients.
Similarly, not all Pitcairnioid leaves grow in an effective cup to catch water as is seen in the other families.
Leaf trichomes are present in Pitcairnioidaeae but are not effective in gathering nutrients; the trichomes, however, can be sufficiently thick so as to provide a frost barrier essential to its survival (i.e. Puya laxa).
3) Sub Family -Tilandsioideae==
Tillandsioideae is a subfamily of plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae.
This group contains the least amount of genera (10) but the most amount of species (1,250).
Most are epiphytic or lithophytic, growing in trees or on rocks where they absorb water and nutrients from the air.
Spanish moss of the Tillandsia genus is a well-known variety. Bromeliads in the generas Guzmania and Vriesia are the more commonly cultivated members of this subfamily.
Description==
Nearly all bromeliads of this sub family have specialized cell groups called trichomes which form scales on the foliage. The trichomes occurring on Tillandsioideae may cover the plants so completely that they appear grey or white, like Spanish moss. In addition to absorbing nutrients, the trichomes may serve to insulate the plant from freezing weather.
Plants in this group have smooth or entire leaf margins,
unusual color and markings, with many producing fragrant flowers.
All their leaves are spineless (unarmed) and their fruit is a dry capsule containing winged seeds which are usually dispersed by breezes.
Feathery seed plumes help them to adhere to a suitable epiphytic surface for germination.
This subfamily is probably the most evolved with special adaptations for survival in very dry conditions, with many described as xerophytes.
Reply:Many Bromeliads have spikey flowers and leaves.
However, plants within Bromeliaceae can range from small to large, thin leaves to broad flat leaves, soft to hard, terrestrial to epiphytic, etc.
Reply:Pineapples have spikey serrated leaves.Shoes
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