INTRODUCTION

This is one of those all-terrain "exotic" Chilean plants which is relatively easy to grow and is suitable for a wide variety of environmental conditions. Its limiting factor is that it does not tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures and snow cover. Its red stem and branches make a nice contrast with the dark-purple, almost black flowers with their yellow stamens and green pistil, and it preserves its strange appearance when covered with fruits, which are reminiscent of garlic cloves.

Image of Puya coerulea var. monteroana

VII Region, Camino a Vilches y El Morillo, Chile
Altitude: 1000-1500 m. 01 26, 2006

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Shrub

Flower: Blue, 3 petals

Height: 2 m.

This is a perennial shrub which grows to about 2 m. The stem and the branches, which are disposed in a spiralling manner, are red-colored. The leaves are long, about 50 cm. and grow at the base of the stem. The flowers consist of 6 dark-blue, almost black petals, with 6 yellow stamens and one green pistil. The fruit is a capsule of about 3 cm. long, full of small seeds with short wings. The plant blooms in December - January and the fruits appear in February - April.

Image of Puya coerulea var. monteroana

VII Region, Camino a Vilches y El Morillo, Chile
Altitude: 1000-1500 m. 01 26, 2006

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

Medium altitude up to the timber line
Low altitude, interior valleys

Watering conditions:

Dry, arid areas, with long drought periods of 6 - 10 months. Precipitations of 100 mm - 300 mm. are concentrated in winter.
Somewhat dry areas where the drought may last 3 - 5 months. Precipitations of 400 - 800 mm. are concentrated in winter.

Light conditions:

Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.

This plant grows at lower elevations, but in the mountains, in dry, rocky places, usually facing north (i.e. sunny sides in southern hemisphere). It does not tolerate well temperatures below 0ºC, but withstands easily occasional freezing spells ofup to -3º to - 5ºC.

Image of Puya coerulea var. monteroana

VII Region, Camino a Vilches y El Morillo, Chile
Altitude: 1000-1500 m. 01 26, 2006

USES

Good ornamental value (A)

Image of Puya coerulea var. monteroana

VII Region, Camino a Vilches y El Morillo, Chile
Altitude: 1000-1500 m. 01 26, 2006

GROWING TIPS

This species has the following hardiness:

USDA Hardiness Zone 9. The plant does not tolerate snow, but can tolerate occasional freezing spells of about - 5° C (the typical morning frost of central Chile).

Very easy to cultivate

If you are interested in purchasing seeds of this or similar species, please go to our On-line Seeds Shop.

More photos (9) of Puya coerulea Miers var. monteroana (L.B.Sm & Looser) L.B.Sm & Looser available here

More species from the same Bromeliaceae family in our data base:

Deuterocohnia chrysantha

Fascicularia bicolor (Puñeñe / Chupón / Chupalla)

Fascicularia litoralis (Puñeñe / Chupón / Chupalla)

Greigia landbeckii (Chupón / Quiscal)

Greigia sphacelata

Ochagavia andina

Ochagavia carnea (Cardoncillo)

Ochagavia lindleyana

Ochagavia litoralis

Puya berteroniana (Puya / Chagual / Cardon / Magüey)

Puya boliviensis

Puya chilensis (Puya / Chagual)

Puya coerulea var. monteroana (Chagualillo)

Puya coerulea

Puya coerulea

Puya gilmartinii

Puya venusta (Chagualillo)

Tillandsia capillaris (Clavel del aire)

Tillandsia geissei

Tillandsia landbeckii

Tillandsia macronae

Tillandsia usneoides (Heno)