About Fascicularia bicolor (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez
Fascicularia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae. The genus name comes from the Latin words fasciculus, meaning bundle, and arius, meaning pertaining to. Only one species is recognized in this genus: Fascicularia bicolor (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez. This species is endemic to Chile, and has been reported to be naturalized in France, as well as in the extreme south and west of Great Britain. In their native wild habitat, all Fascicularia plants are either saxicolous, meaning they grow on rocks, or epiphytes. It is commonly cultivated in gardens for its striking appearance: dramatic bright crimson leaves that contrast with its blue inflorescence. Its fruits are edible, and are similar in type to the fruits of Greigia sphacelata, though they are smaller. They are consumed in the same way as the fruits of Greigia sphacelata.
