Wittrockia is a genus of the botanical

Botany

Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...

 family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

 Bromeliaceae

Bromeliaceae

Bromeliaceae is a family of monocot flowering plants of around 3,170 species native mainly to the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the American subtropics and one in tropical west Africa, Pitcairnia feliciana...

, subfamily Bromelioideae

Bromelioideae

Bromelioideae is a subfamily of the bromeliads . This subfamily is the most diverse, represented by the greatest number of genera with 32, but the least number of species with 861. Most of the plants in this group are epiphytes, though some have evolved in, or will adapt to, terrestrial conditions...

. The genus name is for Veit Bracher Wittrock, Swedish botanist (1839-1914). These plants are native to Central

Central America

Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...

 and South America

South America

South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...

.

Wittrockia is large among bromeliad genera, producing long, glossy leaves armed with sharp spines. Forming rosettes over 1 meter in diameter, the foliage may contain various colors of spots and banding, depending on species. Their inflorescence

Inflorescence

An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...

 blooms deep in the vase where the plant catches water. They are adaptable to varying climates and light exposure. Their attractive foliage has made them popular in cultivation.

Species

• Wittrockia cyathiformis
  Wittrockia cyathiformis
  Wittrockia cyathiformis is a species of the genus Wittrockia. This species is endemic to Brazil.-References:* retrieved 22 October 2009...
  
  (Vellozo) Leme
• Wittrockia gigantea
  Wittrockia gigantea
  Wittrockia gigantea is a species of the genus Wittrockia. This species is endemic to Brazil.- Cultivars :* Wittrockia 'Leopardinum'* xNeorockia 'Midhurst'- References :* retrieved 22 October 2009* Retrieved 11 October 2009...
  
  (Baker) Leme
• Wittrockia paulistana
  Wittrockia paulistana
  Wittrockia paulistana is a species of the genus Wittrockia. This species is endemic to Brazil.-References:* retrieved 22 October 2009...
  
  Leme
• Wittrockia spiralipetala
  Wittrockia spiralipetala
  Wittrockia spiralipetala is a species of the genus Wittrockia. This species is endemic to Brazil.-References:* retrieved 22 October 2009...
  
  Leme
• Wittrockia superba
  Wittrockia superba
  Wittrockia superba is a species of the genus Wittrockia. This species is endemic to Brazil.-References:* retrieved 22 October 2009...
  
  Lindman
• Wittrockia tenuisepala
  Wittrockia tenuisepala
  Wittrockia tenuisepala is a plant species of the genus Wittrockia. This species is endemic to Brazil.-References:* retrieved 22 October 2009...
  
  (Leme) Leme

External links

• Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies - Wittrockia Photos
• BSI Genera Gallery Wittrockia Photos