A Journey With Billbergia pyramidalis - Pt 2

Welcome To Part 2 of My Journey
     With Some Bromeliads,

        For this part of a Bromeliad Journey I'll include a little information....

        Bromeliads are hardy, and can be grown outdoors in most areas of Australia, but they do need protection from Cold and Frost. They also do well as Potted Plants.
        Bromeliad Family known as "Bromeliaceae", which contains over 2700 described species in approximately 56 genera.

Bromeliads became part of Recorded History some 500 years ago when Columbus introduced the Pineapple (Ananas comosus) to Spain during second return from his New World voyage in 1493.

In 1776 another Bromeliad - Guzmania lingulata - was brought to Europe.

         
         From those events the Bromeliad became widely used as an Ornamental Plant, even if originally only in Royal Botanical Gardens or Private Greenhouses of wealthy Europeans.       
        The Bromeliad's present Story has changed from its restricted state to being readily available to enthusiasts around the Earth. Who in turn are developing some Stunning Hybrids for Everyday Folk to choose from, or find they are still discovering new Species of this intriguingly interesting Flowering Plant.
        The Pineapple is the only one Cultivated for Food.
        Bromeliads are Neotropical. Which means they grow best in Subtropical Areas. Most are from South America, with the greatest number being found in Brazil.
        Bromeliads are found in Habitats ranging from hot dry Deserts, to moist Rainforests, to cool Mountainous regions or as for me... a Neighbour's Yard in Australia's South East Queensland.


        This first photo is to remind you of Billbergia pyramidalis, the Bromeliads I was priviliged to photograph during February/March 2009 with my then faithful Viewty Lg Phone.....

        The reminder is because the photos of this Bromeliad you will view in the following photos of it are what I will term as 'Impressionistic Billbergia pyramidalis'.....



        My then Viewty Phone had a setting called "Embossed". A setting I found gave intriguing results when there was sufficient sunlight and textures to use it with... these are Bromeliad Billbergia pyramidalis Embossed.... hope you like the visual experience....

 

         Well I don't know how you feel, but I'm awed. To me they look stunningly interesting.

        While researching for a Guzmania lingulata Bromeliad example, I came across this one.....

        Isn't it exquisite? I think it is.
        Sourced from Plantarum rariorum, was done by Franz Anton von Scheidel (1731-1801).
        So this represents an actual recorded example of what that early Guzmania lingulata Bromeliad looked like when being introduced into European Society back in 1776.
        Interesting.... Europe had a Society in 1776.... six years earlier during 1770 Australia was first touched upon by Captain James Cook.... 
        As an analogy.... while in Australia a Penal Colony was being established, and a White Society was emerging... Europe's already existing Society was becoming aquainted with a Bromeliad... 
        And about 200 years after the Bromeliad first met European Society, it now has an accolade of its images on Blogspots and the Internet in general.
        The Bromeliad has certainly grown in popularity.Worth thinking about next time you look at, drink or munch upon the edible Bromeliad - the Pineapple).

Introductory 2nd Part Starlight Welcome From -
  http://www.amazing-animations.com

Information Sources...
1. Written Bromeliad History...
  a. http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au
  b. http://www.aracaria.com.au/html/Bromeliads.htm
  c. Garden At Symdock - Bromeliads  (This was an interesting site. Was only able to access it applying Google Search).

2. Photos and Historic Art Piece...
  a. Pineapple - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromeliaceae
  b. Minor Hybrid Guzmania lingulata - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guzmania_lingulata
  c. Franz Anton von Scheidel's beautiful historical rendition...
           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Anton_von_Scheidel

Remaining Photos Are My Own


         Am now sharing a Story associated with my research about my particular Bromeliad....
         Firstly, I highly recommend you typing - bromeliad flowers - into Google Search. When the information appears, look for... "Images for Bromeliad Flowers". Click and have your self an amazing Bromeliad Journey. I am astounded by the variety to see, and in particular the colours some give.
        Secondly... while doing a random hover over various Bromeliad images to see them larger and read information, with my main focus being the Billbergia pyramidalis ones, I noticed 'blogspot' on one's information. the Blog's title involving the word 'photos' had me curious. Well I wrote down the information to check out later.
        Later happened. Off I went to Visit - http://zanephotoblog.blogspot.com/   thinking I was going to see Bromeliad photos....
        What a surprise I encountered. Found my self in Africa (love the Country's Landscape, even the sound of the name is a melodious rhythm that builds a sigh of pleasure within me) and no Bromeliads.
        Instead, I encountered stunning macro Photos of Bugs. Alive during and after being photographed from my readings.
        I love Macro Photography, and I love Bugs. The photos are beautifully done. With technical information included. Which is a bonus... one learns as one views.
        To my seeing, the Bugs are giving of themselves to be photographed by Zane. Imagine a Bug's eye-view looking at a Macro Lens when it's being focused on them, but they seem to be enjoying the interaction. As interested in the event as I'm sure Zane is in the doing.
        When I stop doing Postings imitating being an amateur journalist like I have been with my Flood and Cyclone Stories, (still no Posting from "Snail" to know she's ok. I keep checking.) and catch up on sleep, I'm heading back to Africa and Zane's Blogspot. Might even find those Bromeliads when have saturated my self with what I have begun discovering.
         I definitely have an extra special space in my life for the Bromeliad, especially Billbergia pyramidalis. What a lovely gift it has given me simply because I sought to learn about it to include with this sharing and not just the photos it had given me.


        With my deepest good wishes to you,  from Magda

PS: Why am hoping to see a Posting done by "Snail"... "Snail" resides in North Queensland where Tropical Cyclone Yasi attacked after midnight Thur 3 Feb 2011 for more than two hours. (Events That Challenge "Thinking of Snail" Wed 2 Feb 2011). Will be good to learn "Snail" is fine and coping.
Mon 7 Feb 2011 - Discovered update "Snail" Posted letting us know she and her environment are fine.... a relief for all who have waited to know.
Thanks for your help in sending positive good wishes.