Ananas comosus

Ananas comosus, commonly known as the pineapple, is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.

Description

The Ananas comosus is a perennial, herbaceous plant which grows to 1.0 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 4.9 ft) tall with 30 or more trough-shaped and pointed leaves 30 to 100 cm (1.0 to 3.3 ft) long, surrounding a thick stem. The leaves of the Ananas comosus are usually long and sword shaped, arranged in a rosette.

Cultivation

Cultivation of Ananas comosus began in South America, where the fruit was consumed by pre-Columbian cultures. Christopher Columbus encountered the pineapple in 1493 on the leeward island of Guadeloupe. He called it piña de Indes, meaning "pine of the Indians", and brought it back with him to Europe.

Uses

The fruit of the Ananas comosus is consumed fresh, cooked, juiced, and preserved, and its leaves are used to produce the textile fiber piña in the Philippines, commonly used as the material for the men's Barong Tagalog and women's Baro't saya formal wear in the country. The fiber is also used as a component for wallpaper and other furnishings.

Health Benefits

The Ananas comosus is rich in vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. It may help boost the immune system, build strong bones and aid indigestion. Also, despite their sweetness, pineapples are low in calories.

See Also

• Bromeliaceae
• Tropical agriculture
• Fruit farming

References

• Fruits of Warm Climates, Julia F. Morton, Miami, 1987
• The Pineapple: Botany, Production and Uses, D.P. Bartholomew, R.E. Paull, K.G. Rohrbach, CABI Publishing, 2002

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