Plant variable, stemless to long caulescent. Leaves many-ranked, 10-20 cm long with grey-brown scales; sheaths indistinct; blades narrowly triangular, 14 mm wide. Scape erect with leaf-like bracts. Inflorescence bipinnate, to 9 cm long; primary bracts straw coloured to purple; spikes 3-6 cm long, 6-8 flowered, lax; floral bracts 15-20 cm long, equalling or shorter than the sepals, straw coloured or purple-red; sepals hairless; petals purple to blue, spreading; stamens enclosed. [T. straminea Humboldt, Bonpland and Kunth ]

Coastal Ecuador and Peru

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.