Botany
Erect stem, 0.5 to 1.5 meters high. Leaves are numerous, linear-lanceolate, 1 to 1.5 meters long, 5-7 cm wide, the margins sharply spiny-toothed, green and shiny on the upper surface, pale on the lower surface. Heads are terminal, solitary, ovoid, 6 to 8 mm long. Sepals are ovate, thick and fleshy, about 1 cm long. Petals are three, oblanceolate, about 2 cm long, white below, violet above. The fruit is 20 cm or longer.

Distribution
Widely cultivated in the Philippines in two forms: Native and Smooth Cayenne, the latter introduced from Hawaii.

Chemical constituents and properties
The native variety has a much higher carbohydrate content than the Cayenne variety. Both are fair sources of calcium and iron, good sources of vitamins A and B, and excellent sources of vitamin C.

Contains citric acid, phosphoric and sulfuric acid, lime, magnesia, iron, silica, sodium and chlorides of potassium.

Anthelmintic, vermicide, diuretic, aperient, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, refrigerant, digestive, styptic, emmenagogue.

Antihelminthic property of fresh fruit juice attributed to its constituent, bromelin, a proteolytic ferment, that is toxic to Ascaris lumbricoides and Macracanthorynchus hirudinaceous.

Uses
Nutritional
Fair source of calcium and iron; good source of vitamins A and B; excellent source of vitamin C.
Folkloric
Juice of leaves: anthelmintic; used for intestinal animal parasites (decoction of fresh young leaves, 4x daily).
Ripe fruit good for acid dyspepsia and aids digestion,.
Juice of ripe fruit increases urine flow, gently laxative, cooling and digestive.

Availability
Commercial cultivation.