Family: Bromeliaceae

Bromelia balansae, known as heart of flame or heart of fire, is a striking terrestrial bromeliad native to Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. It forms a large, spiny rosette of stiff leaves that often turn bright red at the center before blooming, giving the plant its dramatic appearance. Because of its bold color and tough structure, it is sometimes used as an ornamental accent or as a barrier plant in landscaping.

Although Bromelia balansae has traits associated with invasiveness—such as sharp, dense foliage and the ability to spread by producing offsets—it is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi and is currently rated low risk for invasive potential. At this time, it is not considered a threat to natural or managed areas. Continued awareness is still appropriate, but available evidence indicates it is safe for cultivation in Hawaiʻi.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Related Bromelia species have become invasive
  
• Spiny-leaved plant
  
• Sap can cause dermatitis and may be poisonous if ingested
  
• Spines deter browsing by animals
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Can from dense thickets that exclude other vegetation
  
• Spreads vegetatively by suckering and seeds
  
• Seeds mammals and bird-dispersed

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of naturalization or invasiveness to date (although plants may persist in cultivation)
  
• Used as a barrier plant
  
• Fruit are edible
  
• Plants are self-incompatible
  
• Pollinated by hummingbirds