A Giant Amongst Pineapples, Puya raimondii

Puya raimondii known rather charmingly as ‘Queen of the Andes’1 is the largest member of the Pineapple family (Bromeliaceae)2. As you can see in the picture, it´s certainly enormous compared with me. The flower spike or the inflorescense is one of the largest in the world, containing hundreds of flowers! Unfortunately this spectacular bromeliad, which is…