ER>The reason I ask is that I bought a plant labeled with that name two
ER>weeks ago, but I have not seen it in any book about CP. And I
ER>could not find it in the CP database.
ER>But in the latest newsletter from Brittish CPS I saw the name.
That species is carnivorous, as is another bromeliad, Brochinna
reducta. Its status was determined about 10 years ago, so most CP
books would not mention it. What caused it to be labelled as a CP was
that it had an adaptation to trap insects - as I remember, there are
slippery "scales" causing prey to fall into the center. It was
determined that rosettes of this plant had a larger amount of dead
insects inside than other rosettes or similarly shaped artificial
rosettes. (this is from memory - I may be mistaken, but I think not).
Care: It is an epiphyte, needing the same care as plants in the genus
Vriesea - moist atmosphere, water kept in the rosette, water with
rainwater or similar water. Fertilization not needed. In a very moist
greenhouse, this could be grown on a slab of wood like an orchid or a
Tillandsia. Otherwise, use orchid potting material. I use coconut
fiber for my Catopsis subulata.
If you wish, I can give you the literature citation for the article that
determined that C. berteroniana was carnivorous - also the name of a
book on CPs that mentions it.