Definition

1. Noun:
   • A taxonomic family of flowering plants: The "pineapple family" is the common name for the botanical family Bromeliaceae. This family consists primarily of tropical American plants, many of which are epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants).
   • A group of economically important plants: This family includes several species of significant economic importance, most notably the pineapple (Ananas comosus).

Usage Notes

• The term "pineapple family" is used in botany, horticulture, and general contexts to refer collectively to all plants belonging to the family Bromeliaceae.
• It is a common name, not a formal scientific term. The formal scientific name is Bromeliaceae.
• When used, it typically highlights the family's most famous member, the pineapple, while encompassing many other related species like Spanish moss and various ornamental bromeliads.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The pineapple family includes over 3,000 known species, most native to the Americas.
  • Botanists study the unique water-absorbing structures of plants in the pineapple family.
  • Besides the fruit, many members of the pineapple family are popular as houseplants for their striking foliage.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The term is used to situate plants within the order Poales (historically grouped in orders like Xyridales).
  • The pineapple family, Bromeliaceae, is now placed within the order Poales in modern classification systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Bromeliaceae (n): The formal Latin/scientific name for the pineapple family.
• Bromeliad (n): Any individual plant belonging to the Bromeliaceae family.
  • The vase plant is a type of bromeliad from the pineapple family.

Synonyms

• Bromeliaceae: The direct scientific synonym.
• Bromeliad family: An alternative common name.

Related Phrases

• Member of the pineapple family: A phrase used to describe a specific plant's taxonomic group.
  • Spanish moss is a surprising member of the pineapple family.

Noun

1. a family of tropical American plants of order Xyridales including several (as the pineapple) of economic importance