Latin – fasciculus, small bundle, from the crowded arrangement of the flowers.

Stemless or shortly stemmed terrestrial, xerophytic herbs in dense rosettes. Leaves rigid with strongly spined margins. Inflorescence on a short stout scape, in a dense glomerate head, sunk in the centre of the rosette. Flowers stalkless or short stalked, petals blue to violet, fleshy.

Two species are in cultivation: F. bicolor (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez and F. pitcairnifolia Mez, distinguished by relative lengths of bracts and flowers. These taxa may be united in the future.

Seed or division.

5 species from Chile.

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.