The pineapple family is one of the 8 primarily South American families with a minor distribution in Africa. The pineapple is Neotropical but with an obvious human-induced distribution around the world. Only one species of Bromeliaceae in the genus Pitcairnia gets into Africa and it has fleshy, bird-dispersed fruits. Most members of the Bromeliaceae are confined to either the Guayana Shield or the Andes.

Pineapples contain an enzyme called Bromelain which aids in the breakdown of Fibrin, which is a component of clots responsible for strokes and heart attacks (Thrombosis). Besides the fruit, the leaves furnish fibers of great strength, not injured by water. In Philippines, a delicate and costly fabric, pina cloth, is made from these fibers.