Pinuela. Pinguin (Bromelia pinguin)

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

Bromelia pinguin is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

refreshing drink. — The fruits are edible but very acid.; The fruit is intensely sour and acrid, it is sometimes used for making vinegar.; It makes an excellent, refreshing drink.; The young shoots at the base of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Common and widely distributed in the lowlands of Guatemala, forming wide and dense thickets on the plains. Rocky hills in the West Indies. (Zone 9)