Droophead tufted airplant (Guzmania lingulata, A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 9: 899 (1896))

Family: Bromeliaceae

Author: (L.) Mez

Bibliography: A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 9: 899 (1896)

Year: 1896

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Guzmania

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Mexico to Trop. America

Description

The Droophead Tufted Airplant, known scientifically as Guzmania lingulata, is a striking member of the Bromeliaceae family. This beautiful and intriguing plant can be found thriving in the tropical regions stretching from Southeastern Mexico down through Central America and into parts of South America.

Guzmania lingulata was first comprehensively described by the renowned botanists A.L.P.P. de Candolle and A.C.P. de Candolle in their monographic work “Monographiae Phanerogamarum” published in 1896. The initial classification and further elaboration on this species were carried out by Mez, who has been credited with its authoritative taxonomy.

The Droophead Tufted Airplant is notable for its vibrant inflorescence, with strikingly colorful bracts that often range from deep reds to bright oranges, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions. These bracts surround a rosette of deep green, tongue-shaped leaves—a defining feature that has inspired the species name ‘lingulata,’ which derives from the Latin word for ‘tongue.’

Adapted to an epiphytic lifestyle, Guzmania lingulata typically grows on trees, drawing moisture and nutrients from the air and rainfall, rather than the soil. This fascinating growth habit is indicative of its adaptability and resilience in its native tropical habitats.

The Droophead Tufted Airplant is not only appreciated for its ornamental beauty but also for its role in the ecosystem. By growing on trees, it doesn’t harm its host and provides a microhabitat for various small organisms, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological balance of tropical forests.

Successfully cultivating Guzmania lingulata as a houseplant or in a greenhouse requires mimicking its natural environment to some degree—providing bright, indirect light, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and good air circulation. These requirements, once met, allow this tropical gem to flourish, bringing a touch of exotic elegance to any plant collection.

Common Names

Spa: guzmania lenguada
Eng: droophead tufted airplant
Swe: röd juvelblomma
En: Droophead tufted airplant, Scarlet star airplant
Fi: Punatimanttiananas
Fa: ستاره سرخ
Es: Piñuela, Epífita, Parásita., Guzmania lenguada
Sv: Röd juvelblomma

Synonyms

• Caraguata lingulata ((L.) Lindl.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Bermuda (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by corrao (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Nica laporta (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2020 by Sivan Pinto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2021 by aloherju (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Anastasia (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 29, 2019 by salvador j (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2020 by Gómez Ely (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2022 by Galeano Nilsa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Anastasia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Juan Carlos Bello (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2022 by paz teresa (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 12, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Pricia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Henrique Pereira (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 7, 2022 by Jessica Kopold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2699095)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:115161-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Guzmania lingulata (L.) Mez)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth