Which possible carnivorous bromeliad is commonly called the powdery strap airplant?

The possible carnivorous bromeliad commonly called the powdery strap airplant is Catopsis berteroniana.

Catopsis berteroniana is an epiphytic bromeliad native from southern Florida through the Caribbean and tropical parts of Central and South America. It grows on trees rather than rooting in ordinary soil, using its roots mainly for support. Its overlapping leaves form a tank that collects rainwater and organic material.

The plant’s possible carnivory is scientifically more cautious than the wording used for classic pitcher plants. Its leaves are coated with a slippery white powder that reflects ultraviolet light and may help insects fall into the tank. Experiments have shown that it can trap more insects than comparable bromeliads, and nutrients can be absorbed through leaf surfaces.

However, the evidence remains equivocal because C. berteroniana does not produce the same digestive enzymes characteristic of many undisputed carnivorous plants. Organisms living in its water-filled tank, including mosquito larvae and algae, help break down material. That uncertainty is why “possible carnivorous bromeliad” is an important part of the question. Brocchinia reducta is another bromeliad associated with carnivory, but it is not the powdery strap airplant.