Tropical bromeliad Aechmea gamosepala, also referred to as the Matchstick Bromeliad, is a species that is indigenous to South American jungles, including those in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is an epiphytic bromeliad, not a tree, despite the common name, and grows on tree branches or other surfaces in its natural environment.
Matchstick The distinctive and eye-catching appearance of the bromeliad is well known. It has a rosette of hard, leathery leaves that are often arranged spirally to create a center cup or tank with a funnel-like shape that collects water. Herbivores can be discouraged from feeding on the plant by the leaves, which typically have spiky edges and are green or bluish-green in hue. The inflorescence of Aechmea gamosepala, however, is its most defining characteristic.