bromeliad

[ broh-mee-lee-ad ]

noun

any of numerous, usually epiphytic tropical American plants, having long, stiff leaves and showy flowers, and including the pineapple, Spanish moss, and many species grown as houseplants or ornamentals.

Origin of bromeliad

1865–70; <New Latin Bromeli(a), the type genus of the family (named after Olaus Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish botanist; see -ia) + -ad¹

Other words from bromeliad

bro·me·li·a·ceous [broh-mee-lee-ey-shuhs], /broʊˌmi liˈeɪ ʃəs/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for bromeliad

bromeliad

/ (brəʊˈmiːlɪˌæd) /

noun

any plant of the tropical American family Bromeliaceae, typically epiphytes with a rosette of fleshy leaves. The family includes the pineapple and Spanish moss

Origin of bromeliad

C19: from New Latin Bromelia type genus, after Olaf Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish botanist

Derived forms of bromeliad

bromeliaceous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for bromeliad

bromeliad

[ brō-mē′lē-ăd′ ]

Any of various tropical American plants of the family Bromeliaceae, most of which are epiphytes. They usually have long stiff leaves, colorful flowers, and showy bracts. The bromeliads include the pineapple, the Spanish moss, and numerous ornamental plants.

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