— bromeliaceous /broh mee'lee ay"sheuhs/ , adj.
/broh mee"lee ad'/ , n.
any of numerous, usually epiphytic tropical American plants, having long, stiff leaves and showy flowers, and including the pineapple, Spanish moss, and many species grown as houseplants or ornamentals.
[ 1865-70; Bromeli ( a ), the type genus of the family (named after Olaus Bromelius (1639-1705), Swedish botanist; see -IA) + -AD 1 ]