Leaves few in subcylindric rosette to 80 cm long; sheaths distinct with brown scales; blades ligulate, 3-5 cm wide, with spines 0.5-2 mm long. Scape erect with lanceolate pale brown bracts. Inflorescence simple or sometimes with 1-2 flowered branches at the base; floral bracts exceeding the ovary. Flowers stalkless; sepals 23 mm long, red; petals to 5 cm long, dark blue; stamens included.
Eastern Brazil
Quesnelia lateralis from eastern Brazil has leaves few in a cylindrical rosette; sheaths elliptic, green; blades ligulate, spined, 3-6 cm wide, white transverse bands beneath. Scape slender, terminal in young plant, later lateral from base of same plant, bracts rose to pale brown. Inflorescence simple, dense, cylindrical 5-15 cm long, 1.5 cm wide; floral bracts to 3 cm long, equalling the sepals, entire, rose-pink to pale brown; sepals asymmetric, 11-16 mm long; petals erect to 33 mm long, blue; stamens included.
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.