Bayonet bromeliad (Bromelia serra)

Family: Bromeliaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Bromelia serra is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Shoots

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Very young shoots. The stem is roasted and eaten, and the fruit is boiled to obtain a thick syrup. — Very young shoots.; The stem is roasted and eaten, and the fruit is boiled to obtain a thick syrup.

Habitat & North American Range

A terrestrial herb that grows in the understory of Chaco and Cerrado woodlands and often forms the ground layer together with other bromeliads and cacti such as: the firecracker cactus or scarlet bugler (Cleistocactus baumanii) and Aechmea distichantha,. (Zone 10)