Bromelia comosa Linnaeus, Herb. Amb. 21. 1754; B. ananas Linnaeus.

Leaves sword-shaped, margin coarsely and laxly spinose serrate. Scape short. Inflorescence many flowered; floral bracts inconspicuous, margin serrulate or entire. Flowers numerous. Sepals free, slightly asymmetric, apex obtuse. Petals violet or reddish, free but connivent and tubelike. Stamens included. Syncarp globose, ovoid, or elongate, 15 cm or longer at maturity, becoming fleshy and fragrant. Seeds absent or very rare.

This species is grown throughout the tropics for its edible syncarp.

Cultivated. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan, S Yunnan [native to South America].