A beautifully variegated cultivar of Aechmea blanchetiana, the result of an intraspecific crossing by Chester Skotak. It grows in the form of a typical Ae. blanchetiana, over three feet tall in a cluster of offsets, with three-inch-wide, stiff leaves, forming a funnelform rosette. The foliage is light green, does not tend to blush bronze or reddish, but has wide, bright cream-colored variegation. The variegation is bold and does not fade with age.

The inflorescence is typical of the species, tall, branchy, orange with yellow flowers. A spectacular plant for landscape in shade to full sun. At this point, still a desirable collector item.

CULTURE REQUIREMENTS

LIGHT	Full Sun to Shade
WATER	Frequently
TEMP	Warm
MATURE DIMENSIONS	3' x 2'
CARE	General Bromeliad Care Make Your Bromeliad Bloom

This unusual and handsome species is from the area of Itamaraju, Bahia, Brazil, with an upright vase shape and stoloniferous habit.  The foliage is light green and translucent, banded above and below with dark brown.  It superficially resembles an Ae. orlandiana, but the texture of the foliage is much lighter.  The inflorescence is reminiscent of Ae. bambusoides, with clusters of short branches and large red bracts on a long, thin scape.  A choice plant for mounting or hanging basket culture.

A nice and different clone collected by Harry Luther on a 1987 Selby expedition to Panama with Libby Besse, Joe Halton and John Kress. The plant was found in Bocas del Toro in the vicinity of Chiriqui Grande at about sea level (SEL87-0233A). A stiff leaved plant, more open in shape than some other forms, with silver banding on the leaf undersides and heavy speckling on the upper sides when grown bright. The inflorescence is short, semi-erect with crimson bracts and yellow sepals and petals. Stoloniferous in habit, it grows to about 15 inches tall. A piece of bromeliad history!