Leaves in a broadly funnel-form rosette, arching-spreading, ligulate, 40-45 cm long, 4-5 cm wide, margins with spines 1-3 mm long or nearly entire, conspicuously narrow-banded beneath, the outer green with a large bright red apical spot, the inner suffused red; sheaths very broadly elliptic, to 15 cm long. Inflorescence sunk in the rosette, many-flowered. Flowers 40-45 mm long on a 4-6 mm flower stalk; sepals pink; petals blue.
Brazil
Cultivars: Cultivars under the Cultivars tab are categorised as:
Cultivars of Australian origin are noted
The following species are relatively common in collections but not illustrated here:
N. ampullacea (E. Morren) L.B. Sm. from Brazil has leaves in dense rosette, green, narrowly red banded, linear, spreading, 15-20 cm long, 1.6 cm wide; sheath large forming an ellipsoid tank constricted at top, brown to purple. Flowers few to 25 mm long on 3 mm long flower stalks; sepals green with whitish margin; petals blue on the margins.
N. cruenta (R. Graham) L.B. Sm. from Brazil has leaves forming a dense rosette 30-90 cm long, rigid, ligulate, green but with a large rose spot at the tip, usually broadly banded beneath; sheaths large, broadly ovate, often tinged purple; margins moderately red spined. Inflorescence sunk in centre of rosette, many-flowered. Flowers to 45 mm long with distinct flower stalk; sepals pale green; petals purple except for pale mid-line.
N. hoehneana L.B. Sm. from Brazil is stemless with long, slender, arching pendent stolons. Leaves forming a cylindrical or ellipsoid tank, linear, spreading, 15 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, green with a reddish flush; sheaths to 6 cm long. Inflorescence hidden in the centre of the rosette, few-flowered. Flowers 3 cm long with 5 mm flower stalk; sepals green; petals white.
N. kautskyi E. Pereira from Brazil has leaves ligulate, pale green with reddish spots (becoming almost yellow in bright light) 20-30 cm long, 5-6 cm wide; sheaths broadly elliptic, 12 cm long, 9 cm wide, pale green. Inflorescence about 30 flowered, 4 cm wide in middle of leaf rosette. Flowers 4.5 cm long; flower stalks to 10 mm; sepals green; petals white except for the violet tip.
N. laevis (Mez) L.B. Sm. from Brazil has leaves in a large rosette, ligulate, to 35 cm long, 3-4.5 cm wide wholly green or with a few purplish spots and blotches; sheaths large, broadly elliptic, sometimes purplish, obscurely spined. Inflorescence deeply sunk in leaf rosette, about 30 flowered. Flowers 3-4 cm long with short flower stalk to 3 mm; sepals green; petals white and fragrant.
N. lilliputiana E. Pereira from Brazil is a plant with pendulous 5 cm long stolons. Leaves 5 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, reflexed, linear, purple banded beneath, purple spotted above; sheaths forming a tube. Inflorescence 6-8 flowered. Flowers 3 cm long with 2 mm flower stalk, emerging from the leaf tube; sepals purplish; petals violet.
N. olens (Hook f.) L.B. Sm. from Brazil has leaves ligulate, to 30 cm long, 3 cm wide, pungent, minutely spined with red spots and blotches in good light. Inner leaves turn bright red at flowering; sheaths elliptic and green. Inflorescence sunk deep in rosette, few-flowered. Flowers 4 cm long with short flower stalk; sepals pinkish; petals blue.
N. sarmentosa (Regel) L.B. Sm. from Brazil has leaves in a dense slender funnelform rosette, ligulate, 25-35 cm long, 2.5-3 cm wide, ligulate, green except for red spot at tip; marginal spines to 1 mm; sheaths large, dark. Inflorescence about 30 flowered. Flowers 2-3 cm long; flower stalks 4-10 mm long; sepals green; petals white or blue.
N. tigrina (Ruschi) Ruschi from Brazil has leaves in a dense bag-like, sub-ovoid rosette, spreading above, 10-13 cm long, 2 cm wide, laxly brown minute spined, yellow-green with irregular brown cross-bands on the outside; sheaths elliptic, slightly shorter than the blades. Inflorescence sunk in rosette, 7-12 flowered. Flowers to 4 cm long on a 7 mm flower stalk; sepals green; petals white. Sometimes encountered under the name of N. marnier-lapostollei (a recognised hybrid close to N. ampullacea) or N. albiflora (a species not encountered in Australia).
N. zonata L.B. Sm. from Brazil has leaves in a tubular rosette, 25-35 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, spreading, green and strongly purple banded on both sides. Inflorescence sunk in rosette, about 15 flowered; flowers 5 cm long on a 13 mm flower stalk; petals white except for blue tip.
Source: (2005). Bromeliaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Amazing Grace'
Bright green leaves with magenta variegations varying in width.
Medium
Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Amethyst Queen'
Wide green leaved, flushing amethyst in centre at flowering.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Aussie Dream'
Variegated and variable but desirable plants. Varying from narrow to wide leaf, dark spines evident, faint red spotting and sometimes red tips.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Avalon'
Shiny red leaf rosette.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Barbarian'
Semi-erect open rosette, leaves bronze with a sprinkling of fine red dots.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Beefsteak'
Semi-erect open rosette, leaves dark reddish-purple with largish green spots.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Beverly'
Tubular, flared at top, dull brown-red leaves.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Black Knight'
Upright plant, dark red leaves, with green spots.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Blushing Bride'
Green leaved plant. Centre turns intense pink at flowering. Sometimes whole plant turns pink.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Born Of Fire'
Compact, urn-shaped rosette, leaves narrow, fiery red. Stoloniferous.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Bric A Brac'
Funnel-shaped, narrow leaves green with evident spines, red tipped. Flushes orange-red in centre at flowering.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Calypso'
Tall stiff green leaves, red tips. Flushes rosy pink at flowering.
Large.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Charm'
Open rosette, wide shiny red leaves with fine spots of gold.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Cracker Jack'
Burgundy leaves blotched and speckled in green.Turns red in centre at flowering.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Deep Pleasure'
Open rosette, wide green leaves edged in purple with some broken purple bands; turns purple-red in centre at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Fall In Love'
Compact, urn-shaped; leaves green, tipped red, orange-red overlay more intense at flowering. Some fine green speckling.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Fireball'
Open rosette, deep red leaves, 10-15 cm long stolons. Ideal for hanging basket.
Small.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Firebird'
Funnel-shaped, reddish-purple leaves, darker spotting on inner surface and silver banding on outside. Flushes red in centre at flowering.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Fosperior'
Leaves semi-erect, stiff, burgundy, silver overlay on top, silver bands underneath, red tips.
Large.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Frost-prince'
Open rosette, dull red-purple leaves with light frosting.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Furnace'
Compact, urn shaped; leaves shiny dark red, some green speckling.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Gold Fever'
Open rosette, green leaves on outside; inner leaves red with numerous green to gold spots even before flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Grace Goode'
Urn-shaped, dark red leaves with fine green spots.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Guinea'
Open funnel shape, leaves yellow-green heavily spotted in red.
Small.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Hal Ellis '
Rosette with semi-erect, wide leaves, well toothed, dark green with deep purple, broken concentric bands turning red-purple in the middle at flowering.
Large.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Hearts Blood'
Tubular and flared at top, leaves narrow stiff, grey-green small red spots, red tips. Bright red in centre at flowering.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Inferno'
Flushes bright red in centre.Variegated.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Jean Black'
Open rosette, leaves red with green mottling.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Jet Age'
Funnel-shaped, almost erect green leaves with red longitudinal lines.Turns purplish in the centre at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Johannis Rubra'
Wide red-purple shiny leaves.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Ladds Choice'
Urn-shaped, dark green leaves variegated cream, flushed red in centre on flowering.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Laebee'
Dark purplish leaves, red fingernail tip, irregular green blotching, silvery overlay.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Lambert's Pride'
Green leaves patterned, blotched, spotted, barred in red.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Lavender Mist'
Wide green leaves, well toothed, with light purple concentric markings and flushing the same colour in the centre on flowering.
Large.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Little Beauty'
Tubular with flared tips; leaves green with fine red spots often forming lines. Good hanging basket plants.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Little Gem'
With longer narrower leaves than 'Fireball'. Good hanging basket plant.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Little Prince'
Open rosette, softish green leaves, the whole plant can turn iridescent pink at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Luxurians'
Vermilion coloured rosette.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Maggies Pride'
Rosette with semi-erect leaves, green with cream variegations, flushes deep pink in centre at flowering.
Medium.
More winter hardy than most variegated cultivars.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Magic Spell'
Tubular with flared tips, leaves dark red with fine green spots.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Marcon'
Red leaves with green mottling and red tips.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Marnier Lapostolle'
M.Tubular, flaring at top, yellow-green leaves, dark red irregular banding.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Memoriam'
Rosette with semi-erect wide leaves, reddish purple, some green mottling.
Large.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Morris Henry Hobbs'
Leaves semi-erect, wide, reddish with red tip, flushed red in centre at flowering.
Large.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Night Out'
Open rosette, leaves narrow, dark purple, some green flecks, turns red in centre at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Nugget'
Funnel-shaped, stiff yellow-green leaves, red irregular banding. Ideal hanging basket subject.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Nutmeg'
Tall, tubular, flaring at top; leaves dark, dull green with purple overlay and purple bars. Produces offsets freely.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Olwen Ferris'
Open rosette, leaves wide, tough, toothed, green with some purple blotches, red-purple tips, magenta centre leaves at flowering.
Large.
Cold tender in Adelaide.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Orchid'
Open rosette with semi-erect soft leaves, purple-pink all the time.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Ox Blood'
Open rosette; narrow leaves, dark purple with red fingernail tips. At flowering turns red in centre bordered by green bars.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Painted Desert'
M. Leaves green, inner leaves cherry with some green mottling at flowering.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Painted Lady'
Leaves yellow green, inner leaves bright red even before flowering. Colour appears painted on.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Passion'
Light green leaves, intense pink overlay at flowering.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Pepper'
Funnel-shaped leaves, yellow-green with bright red spots. Stoloniferous. Ideal for hanging basket.
Small.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Petite'
Tubular; leaves with flared tips narrow, red, red fingernail tips, green flecks. Stoloniferous. Good hanging basket subject.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Proud Beauty'
Flat rosette; wide leaves, well toothed, dark green, many of the centre leaves purple.
Large.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Purple Haze'
Flat rosette with stiff leaves dull purple, overlaid with silver, silver banding on back of leaves, red fingernail tips.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Red Planet'
Open rosette, shiny red leaves, red fingernail tipped, green blotches and fire red in centre at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Rosella'
Urn-shaped, outer leaves dark green, inner ones dark red with white irregular bars, some green blotching before flowering, red fingernail tipping.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Royal Robe'
Funnel-shaped, wide dark green leaves, purple concentric markings, turns purplish in centre on flowering.
Large.
Cold tender.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Sanguine Night'
Tubular, flaring at top, dark red leaves mottled green, vivid purple centre at flowering.
Small.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Sheer Joy'
Rosette of several rows of leaves, starting as green then all becoming purplish-red.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Solar Flare'
Turns red in centre at flowering, leaves flatten out. Variegated.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Spot On'
Rosette with semi-erect leaves, wide, shiny purple-red with bright green irregular large dots, red fingernail tips.
Medium to large.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Strawberry Cup'
Urn-shaped, yellow-green leaves with broken bars of dull red, turns red in centre at flowering.
Small.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Strawberry Roan'
Yellow-green leaves, red fingernail tips, pink-red centre at flowering.
Medium.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Sugar And Spice'
Tubular with flared tips, narrow green leaves, bright red flecks, flushes red in centre at flowering. Stoloniferous.
Small.
Good hanging basket subject.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Sun God'
Semi-erect rosette, bright green leaves, large area of deep rose-pink near the tip, heavily mottled in red.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Sweet Heart'
Urn-shaped; leaves wine red, red fingernail tip, fine green mottling.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Takemura Grande'
Spreading, wide, stiffish purple leaves with silver overlay, reddish purple broken barring on top surface.
Large.
Semi-erect rosette, dark purple (almost black) leaves, purplish centre at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Tiger Cub'
Urn-shaped, leaves yellow-green on upper surface and reddish underneath with deeper red irregular bars. Long stolons.
Small.
Ideal for hanging basket.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Vanity'
Open rosette, leaves pinkish purple at most times, deeper flush at flowering.
Medium.
An Australian cultivar.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Vulkan'
Leaves semi-erect, wide, stiff purple-green leaves with deeper purple broken wavy bars.
Large.
Neoregelia spectabilis 'Wild Card'
Urn-shaped, leaves shiny bright green, red overlay with green mottling showing through, red fingernail tips.
Small.
An Australian cultivar.