Look Up: Queen’s Tears Blooming in the Jungle
Spotted by our Jungle team, Henry, Tony and Jungle Pete . . .
If you find yourself walking through the Jungle this week, take a moment to look up into the trunk of the old Sequoiadendron near the east side boardwalk on the way down to The Lost Valley. Tucked up there - easy to miss if you're not paying attention - is a single Billbergia nutans, or Queen’s Tears, (Freindship Plant) in bloom.
With its arched, nodding flowers in soft pink, lime green and electric blue, it brings a surprising flash of colour among the lush green of the foliage. It’s not a large display, and there’s only one plant up there, but it’s all the more special for that.
Like many bromeliads, Queen’s Tears draws moisture from the air rather than the soil, which makes it perfect for growing in tree branches. Its name comes from the droplets of nectar it can release, like tiny tears, though it’s often more poetic than practical - you’d be lucky to catch one!
There’s something about this plant that fits the Jungle well - a little hidden moment of vibrancy that rewards anyone who stops and pays close attention. As the season moves on, there’ll be more bold, tropical colour to enjoy - but this one is a quiet favourite if you happen to catch it.
So if you're visiting soon, pause at the Sequoiadendron, and glance upward - just in case you’d have walked right past.