The Bromeliads
There are two large bromeliads in Myakka River State Park that are being eaten by the weevil, Metamasius callizona.
Tillandsia utriculata is a large plant that grows singly.
It has a rounded bottom.
The leaves are bright green, wide at the bottom and are long and slender.
It can take the plant ten to fifteen years to flower.
When the plant flowers, the flowers grow on an INFLORESENCE (a long stalk that grows out of the center of the plant).
T. utriculata's infloresence is green, very tall, slender, and has branches.
The flowers are small and very hard to see.
Tillandsia fasciculata is a large plant that grows singly or in clumps.
It has a less rounded bottom.
The leaves are grey-green, stiff, and pointy.
A plant growing from seed can take ten to fifteen years to flower; a plant growing from a clump may flower much quicker.
T. fasciculata's infloresence is short, fan-like, and may be red, yellow, or some combination of colors.
The flowers are small and very hard to see.