Read about Puya in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Puya (Chilean name). Bromeliaceae. Large terrestrial xerophytic South American bromeliads. Allied to Pitcairnia (differing in having a fully superior rather than partially superior ovary).—Forty-four species, according to Mez (DC. Monogr. Phaner. 9). For culture, see also Billbergia. Puya also includes the plants known in trade as Pourretia. Puyas and pitcairnias are generally found in collections of bromeliads and are usually grown in moist tropical houses. The native home of the puyas is on the steep stony slopes of the Cordilleras at high altitudes with little other vegetation for company except some species of cereus. This would indicate that drier and cooler conditions, or such as are given cacti and succulents, would suit them best, yet they thrive equally well in the tropical house. Indeed, the writer has found most of the family Bromeliaceae very accommodating not only to temperature and moisture conditions, but to soils and methods of growing them; for example many of the tillandsias may be grown on blocks of wood as epiphytes, yet they do equally well grown in pots. But what perhaps is more remarkable is the fact that several of the stronger-growing bromeliads appear to grow equally well either in a strong loamy mixture, or a mixture of chopped fern root and charcoal. The writer has pineapples growing in both mixtures with equal success. But the most rational treatment is to give all the bromeliads conditions and soil similar to the environment in which they are found in their native habitat, yet according to the experience of the writer few plants possess such remarkable adaptability to changed conditions as do these plants. (E.J. Canning.) P. spathacea, Mes (Pitcairnia spathacea, Griseb.). Lvs. up to 18 in. long and 1 in. broad, the spines incurved: panicle about 2 ft. long; sepals ovate, acuminate, pale rose; petals dull blue. Argentina. B.M. 7966.—P. violacea, Mes. Lvs. up to 20 in. long, linear, stiff, spiny in margin: panicle 15-20 in. long; sepals green, lanceolate, 1-1 1/4 in. long. acute; petals deep violet. Chile. B.M. 8194. L. H. B. George V. Nash.
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References
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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