Pingwing. Ixtle (Aechmea magdalenae)

Family: Bromeliaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Aechmea magdalenae is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and very tasty. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The fleshy fruits are sweet and very tasty.; An acid flavour, they are said to be better when made into beverages.; The elliptic to ovate fruits are 5 - 6 cm long, to ca 2 cm.

Habitat & North American Range

Abundant throughout the forest, often forming dense stands. Forests and thickets, usually found at elevations below 500 metres in Guatemala. (Zone 10)