Bromeliad Nidularium Plants is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae. Named to describe the nestling characteristic of the inflorescence (Lat. nidulus = little nest), they are endemic to Brazil and we know of about 60 species. Commonly confused with Neoregelia in which they resemble, this plant group was first described in 1854. Many grow on the ground next to trees or in the lower limbs of trees. However there are about 25 South American plants of the pineapple family, Bromeliaceae that grow upon the branches of trees. Several species are cultivated indoors as decorative plants for their handsome foliage and colorful red, purplish, or white flowers. Size ranges from small to large, leaves are spineless and many have fine inflorescences.
Nidulariums are plants with inflorescences forming low in the center of the rosettes. At flowering time the collaret of shortened inner leaves turns brilliant red, rose or cerise, depending on the species. The flowers are red, white or blue and the leaves are usually glossy and finely spined.
In some varieties the inflorescence rises above the plant and creates a striking picture. Nidularium seidelii is such a plant, the inflorescence rising approximately 30 cm above the flattened foliage, with bracts forming large yellow-green boat like shapes atop each other. The inflorescence can last several months. Nidulariums are hardy and reward growers with good formations and regular flowering.
The best-known Nidularium is the blushing bromeliad (N. fulgens), not to be confused with Neoregelia Carolinae, which is also commonly known as blushing bromeliad. Both it and Nidularium innocenti have white flowers surrounded by bright red bracts.
Bromeliads are mostly epiphytic; meaning that they do not get nutrients from the soil, so people potting them in "soil" is much more a holding medium rather than a feeding medium. Their main source of food is through scales on their leaves. Excellent water drainage is always a strict requirement in pots. Many folks in Florida have their bromeliads attached in tree limbs or on slabs of wood, like staghorn ferns. Some are planted right on the soil as a landscaping. Some people plant them in pots for an inside plant, because of their great beauty and easy care. It will not survive a frost so must be protected on cool nights or brought in if you have it in a pot outdoors. It will grow to about 18? across and send out offsets to form children when happy. They prefer light shade to full shade. When placed in sunnier locations they grow more spread out, in darker locations they grow more upright.