Puya chilensis (Sheep-eating Plant, Chilean Puya)
Botanical Information
Family | Bromeliaceae |
Genus | Puya |
Species | chilensis |
Synonyms | Pitcairnia chilensis, Pitcairnia coarctata, Pourretia coarctata, Puya coarctata, Puya gigantea, Puya quillotana, Puya suberosa |
Category | Perennials |
Origin | Native to the arid hillsides of Chile. |
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Very young shoots are eaten in salads. |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 9a - 10b |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 - H1c |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | (?6.7) - (+10) |
Temperature (°F) | 20 - 50 |
Height | 2 m |
Spread | 2 m |
Growth | Slow |
Flowering Period | July |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | An evergreen perennial growing to 2 m by 2 m . |
Shape | Heap up into a rounded pile. |
Landscape | In potted succulent collections, in rock gardens, as a patio or potted plant. |
Propagation | By seed or division of offsets in the spring. |
Cultivation | Grow in sandy, loamy and clay soils and prefers well-drained soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought. |
Notable Specimens | Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
Habitat | Arid hillsides in the Andes, often spreading across large areas. |
Leaf Description | Large, dense rosettes of grey-green, strap-like leaves edged with hooked spines. |
Flower Description | Green or yellow flowers borne on spikes up to 2 m high. The species is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by birds. The plant is not self-fertile. |
Photographs
Puya chilensis, form, Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Puya chilensis, flower bud, Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Puya chilensis, form, Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Puya chilensis, form, Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Puya chilensis, flower bud, Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Puya chilensis, flower bud, Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.