Named after Sylvestris Ochagavir, Minister of Education in Chile in 1853.

Succulent plants, clustering in habit, and growing either on rocks or in the ground usually in shady locations. Leaves in utricular rosettes of numerous very spiny narrow leaves up to 70 cm long. Inflorescence ovoid. Flowers rose pink or yellow, sunk low in the rosette.

Only one species, O. carnea, is found in cultivation as potted plants or sometimes in outside rockeries.

6 species from central Chile and off-shore islands.

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.