Bromelia pinguin

Bromelia pinguin (or penguin) is a species in the genus Bromelia. This species is native to Central America, Mexico, the West Indies and northern South America. It is also reportedly naturalized in Florida. It is very common in Jamaica, where it is planted as a fence around pasture lands, on account of its prickly leaves. The fruit, known as piñuela, is dug out, protective "hair" removed, peeled like a banana, and eaten. They are slightly tart with a crunch from the seeds. The plant can be stripped of its pulp, soaked in water, and beaten with a wooden mallet, and it yields a fiber whence thread is made. In countries like El Salvador, it is used to make gruel.