Leaves 10 in a dense, tubular rosette, 40-50 cm long, 2-7 cm wide, stiff, green with broad pale bands, especially beneath; margins with large dark spines. Scape erect, stout, bracts pink, narrow. Inflorescence erect, many-flowered; sepals green with a dark blue tip; petals green to white, dark blue at the tip.

Brazil

Related cultivars: ‘Gerda’ Medium tube, red-purple leaves cross-banded silver. Erect inflorescence, pale pink bracts, petals pale green.

‘Muriel Waterman’ Medium. Stout tube, leaves red-purple, wide, heavily banded in silver. Semi-pendent inflorescence, dull pink bracts, steel blue petals.

‘Othello’ Also known as ‘Mandas Othello’. Medium tight tube, red-purple leaves banded in silver, flaring in the top part which is covered in pinkish spots. Inflorescence erect, bracts red, petals green with blue tips.

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.