Hawaii Bromeliad Society

Canistrum

Canistrum aurantiacum Photos by Tom Stuart

Canistrum (can-is'trum) is small genus with only ten species. It originates in Brazil. The name comes from the Latin canistra which means little basket. This is apt because of its inflorescence of red bracts surrounding many small yellow or white flowers

The plants are usually two to three feet tall. There are spines along the leaf margin. In Canistrum aurantiacum the flower head extends slightly above the top of the leaves. They prefer shade and moisture but can be grown in full sun if the well of the plant is kept full of water.

Canistrum can be easily propagated from the keiki or pups.

GENERA

Canistrum