Plant stem at least to 35 cm long. Leaves densely grey scaled; sheaths large, bottom half hairless; blades abruptly spreading, usually contorted, narrowly triangular to 12 cm long, 4-6 mm wide. Scape erect, varying from very short to over 15 cm long, hairless, bracts scaly. Inflorescence simple, narrowly lanceolate to 5 cm long, flattened, 1-12 flowered; floral bracts distichous, as long as sepals, soon hairless; sepals 10-17 mm long, free, hairless; petals with narrow tube, large, spreading orbicular blade, blue or violet; stamens included.

South-western Colombia to Bolivia and northern 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.