Ananas

Ananas is a genus of plants from the Bromeliaceae family of which the species called Ananas Comosus is more commonly known as the pineapple. While people in countries such as America and the UK refer to it by the name of its fruit, in most other languages the plant and fruit that it bears is referred to by Guarani word for pineapple, Ananas. Although size of the leaves, flowers and fruit can vary, the basic composition of all Ananas varieties is essentially the same. At the base, tough leaves grow in rosette groups out in a crown-like shape and from centre of the rosette the flowers grow and bloom. Each flower has its own sepal and grows into a very tight and compact head with a short stalk. Eventually the sepals become juicy and fleshy and transform into the instantly recognisable pineapple form. As well as being grown for their fruit, Ananas are also used as visually striking decorative plants. You can purchase Ananas as bulk potted plants from the Dutch company Astra Fund. There are a variety of species available including Ananas Bracteatus, Ananas Comosus(of which there are two different types – the Purple Compacta and Variegatus), Ananas Lucidus and Ananas Nanus.