Vriesea botafogensis
4443
An interesting and rare plant from the exposed granite cliffs at the entrance to Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Resembling the much more familiar Vr. saundersii, it is smaller, about 6 inches across, with deeply recurving, broad, leathery leaves that are heavily speckled with red below and sparingly above. The inflorescence is a panicle of dense yellow branches on a 12 inch scape.
Vriesea racinae
1107
A true miniature from Brazil and one of the smallest and cutest of the Vrieseas. Mature at barely 3 inches tall, it has short triangular leaves which curl downward at the tips, and are green with red spotting. A must for the miniature plant fancier and outstanding in terrariums.
Vriesea saundersii
441
A Brazilian native with wide, thick, leathery leaves in a 15 inch, recurving rosette. An unusual gray-blue color, speckled with tiny red dots and bearing an interesting, branched, yellow inflorescence produced in winter make this an attractive species. In spite of the gray, thick leaves, it is a shade grower in nature, living on granite rock cliff faces inside the mountainous Tijuca forest of Rio de Janeiro. A slow grower, excellent for terrariums when small.
LOVE IT!
This arrived yesterday to New England in perfect shape. It is one of the most beautiful bromeliads I have ever seen.
Very unusual, can’t wait to see it bloom!
My primary regret is that it came with no professional instructions.
My Vriesea saundersii arrived in perfect condition, even in mid April in the Midwest where the weather can be iffy and cold and shipping through mail could be hazardous. But it came packed gently along with a Tillandsia leiboldiana 'Mora', each wrapped up and in a thermal lined box and two heat packs. It's a beautiful plant. I can't wait to mount it. Or maybe find the right pot? Decisions..