Scientific Name
Deuterocohnia scapigera (Rauh & L.Hrom.) M.A.Spencer & L.B.Sm.
Synonym(s)
Abromeitiella scapigera
Scientific Classification
Family: Bromeliaceae
Subfamily: Pitcairnioideae
Genus: Deuterocohnia
Etymology
The specific epithet "scapigera" (pronounced "skap-ih-GER-uh") means "scape-bearing". It refers to the scapiform flowers of this species, which appear on a stalk that rises above the foliage.
Origin
Deuterocohnia scapigera is native to Bolivia.
Description
Deuterocohnia scapigera is a terrestrial bromeliad that forms a dense mound of rosettes of dark green leaves with sharp tips and margins with small spines. The leaves are lance-shaped and can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long.
The flowers are small, tubular, and greenish yellow, and they appear on a short stalk from the centers of the rosettes in winter and spring. The rosettes do not die after blooming and often rebloom on the same flower spike.
Subspecies of Deuterocohnia scapigera
- Deuterocohnia scapigera subsp. sanctae-crucis
- Deuterocohnia scapigera subsp. scapigera
How to Grow and Care for Deuterocohnia scapigera
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Deuterocohnia is a perennial Bromeliad that forms an interesting mounding ground cover. It grows very slowly into a tight, cushion-shaped colony. In its native environments, it is watered perhaps only twice a year, obtaining most of its moisture from the air. It can get extra moisture from ocean fogs that roll in.
This is a nice plant for a small-scale ground cover in rock or succulent gardens. Deuterocohnia makes an interesting specimen plant in containers.
Grow your Deuterocohnia in well-drained humus-rich soil with added pebbles, perlite, hardwood bark, or other material to facilitate drainage. Keep in bright light or part sun and water moderately in spring and summer, letting it dry between waterings. Limit water during winter. It is probably one of the cold-hardiest of the Bromeliads, but detesting winter wet on its foliage proves difficult to keep outside.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Deuterocohnia.
Links
- Back to genus Deuterocohnia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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