Rosette funnel-shaped. Leaves 30-50 cm long, 6-8 cm wide, green with violet to black zig-zag cross banding and mottling; margins with prominent coarse, brown teeth. Scape upright, arching, red. Inflorescence paniculate, dense; bracts red. Flowers pale yellow.

A. orlandiana is in the subgenus Aechmea (Group 3).

Brazil

Requires some warmth in winter.

Related cultivars: ‘Bert’ Medium. Upright vase, grey-green leaves with dark chocolate, bands irregular. Slim pendent inflorescence, orange bracts, yellow petals. Common in cultivation.  ‘Ensign’ Leaves with white longitudinal stripes.

Source: Christensen, T.; Butcher, D. (2005). Bromeliaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.