What Is BSI (The Bromeliad Society International)?

Updated

BSI stands for The Bromeliad Society International, an organization established in 1950 and focused on bromeliads — the plant family that includes pineapple, tillandsia (air plants), and neoregelia. Its website, bsi.org, serves as the central hub for the society's information, publications, cultivar registration, judging standards, and member resources. It is aimed at bromeliad growers, hobbyists, collectors, and researchers who want authoritative reference material or want to connect with affiliated societies.

What the Organization Does

BSI functions as an international society rather than a commercial seller. Its work centers on:

  • Cultivar registration — maintaining records of named bromeliad cultivars, with dedicated awards for registration and for exhibitors/breeders.
  • Judging and shows — publishing standards for the BSI Standard Show and the BSI Judged Bromeliad Show.
  • Taxonomy and reference — hosting accepted name lists, a new bromeliad taxon list, and a natural hybrid list.
  • Research, conservation, and education — administered through the Harry E. Luther & Victoria Padilla Research, Conservation, and Education Fund.
  • Publications — the BSI Journal, a bromeliad culture brochure, and a bromeliad bibliography.

Main Sections of bsi.org

The site is organized into a few broad areas you can navigate directly:

Area What you'll find
Information / About the BSI General info, bylaws, officers, board of directors, chairmen and services, honorary trustees
Awards Cultivar registration awards, cultivar exhibitor/breeder awards, Wally Berg Award of Excellence
Judging and Shows BSI Standard Show, BSI Judged Bromeliad Show
Bromeliads What are bromeliads, taxonomy, accepted name list, taxon list, natural hybrid list, cultivar register
Publications About the BSI Journal, subscriptions & advertising, submitting journal material, journal archive, culture brochure, bibliography
Members Member-only content, renew/update, renewal information, membership benefits, donations, BSI Store, Seed Bank
Affiliates Affiliated societies, schedule of affiliate events, society webpages, newsletters, rules for affiliation

There is also a BSI FloraPix Gallery and a links section pointing to resources such as the Encyclopaedia of Bromeliads, the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, and Planet Bromeliad on Facebook. A WBC 2026 entry indicates an upcoming World Bromeliad Conference.

Who It's For

  • Hobbyists and collectors — for cultivar names, show standards, and connecting with local affiliated societies.
  • Growers and exhibitors — for judging rules, awards, and cultivar registration.
  • Researchers and writers — for taxonomy lists, the journal archive, and bibliography.

Practical Notes

Some content is restricted to members, including member-only content and the Seed Bank, and the site lists a subscription option in connection with the BSI Journal. If you want journal access, seed distribution, or member areas, expect to join or subscribe rather than browse freely. The homepage requires JavaScript enabled to display properly.

If your goal is simply to identify a plant or understand bromeliad classification, the taxonomy and cultivar register sections are the most useful starting points. If your goal is to exhibit or breed, start with the judging and awards sections.