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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Bromelia karatas is an evergreen Perennial growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Bromelia acanga L. Bromelia acaulis Stokes Bromelia caratas Hill Bromelia plumieri (E.Morren) L.B.Sm. Karatas karatas (L.) Voss Karatas lagopus E.Morren ex Devans. Karatas plumieri E.Morren Nidularium karatas (L.) Lem.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Leaves Shoots
Edible Uses: Drink

The very young inflorescences are eaten as a vegetable[46 , 301 ]. The fruit is edible[200 ]. A pleasant flavour[46 ]. It is used in the preparation of a refreshing drink called 'Atol de Pina'[46 , 301 ]. The fruit is up to 8cm long[200 ]. The fruits are edible after removal of thin stinging hairs. Similarly to pineapple, eating too much may cause blisters. Tender leaf bases of young shoots - blanched and eaten as a vegetable or added to soups[301 ].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Skin

The juice of the plant is used to cicatrize recent sores and wounds[348 ]. An alcoholic tincture of the juice is used for a detersive on ulcers[348 ].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fencing Fibre Soap String

The juice (of the whole plant?) is said to be used as a saponin-containing soap substitute[348 ]. The fibres of mature leaves are used to make cloth, fishing lines, nets and string.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Living fence Industrial Crop: Fiber Management: Standard Regional Crop

A plant of the semi-arid tropics and subtropics[200 ]. Requires a well-drained soil and a position in full sun[200 ].

Carbon Farming

Agroforestry Services: Living fence Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Industrial Crop: Fiber Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Management: Standard Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Plant Propagation

Seed

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Pinuela

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (San Luis Potosí, Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán de Ocampo, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Querétaro, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave) SOUTHERN AMERICA: West Indies, Central America, Suriname, Venezuela (not confirmed here), Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Aechmea magdalenae	Pingwing. Ixtle, Pita plant	Perennial	2.5	10-12	S	LMH	FS	M	3	0	3
Ananas comosus	Pineapple	Perennial	1.0	9-11	F	LMH	SN	M	5	2	4
Bromelia pinguin	Pinuela. Pinguin	Perennial	1.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	DM	3	0	2
Bromelia serra	Bayonet bromeliad	Perennial	0.4	10-12	F	LMH	FSN	M	1	0	3
Greigia sphacelata		Perennial	0.9	9-11		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Puya chilensis		Perennial	2.0	8-11		LMH	N	D	1	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Bromelia karatas - L.