Nature
PUBLISHED
8
Sometimes in nature, there are events that we have to wait for. Some, like the upcoming American cicadapocaplypse might not be so popular – whereas, across the pond in Birmingham, UK, botanists are thrilled to reveal the blooming of their sapphire tower.
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.The sapphire tower plant (Puya alpestri) from the Chilean Andes can take up to 10 years to flower. The plant is a member of the bromeliad family, distantly related to the pineapple. Normally found at high elevations of up to 2,200 meters (7,218 feet) in the mountains, this plant relies on hummingbirds to pollinate its flowers.
Instead, at the Arid Glasshouse at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the botanists are using paint brushes to replicate that effect. The flowers are a stunning metallic turquoise with vivid orange anthers (the bit of the stamen where pollen is produced) that occur between the dark green leaves and spines.
“Each flower only lasts a few days, giving us a limited window of time to give nature a helping hand. In the absence of its natural pollinators, we will attempt some hand pollination instead,” explained Senior Glasshouse Horticulturist Alberto Trinco in a statement.
The team says the plant has been in the collection for 20 years. It is thought that the plant will only flower for between 10 days and two weeks, giving a short window to enjoy this spectacular rare sight.
“It is very slow-growing, so to witness its spectacular blooms is both exciting and rare,” says Trinco.
Unfortunately, this plant is known as monocarpic, which means that after flowering the plant will die. However, the team have got a plan in place for this.
“Hopefully, pollinating the flowers with the brush to obtain seeds will allow us to secure the presence of this amazing species in our collection for future generations to come and admire.”
