Leaves that are blacker than black (for a plant). A graceful rosette that starts out upright then as the inch wide leaves lengthen, arch over, forming a wide rosette. The inflorescence is a handsome pendant spike of red berries and blue flowers.

A bromeliad, rare in cultivation, native to the Guyana Shield formation of Suriname where it grows as a lithophyte on granite in the vicinity of Voltzberg.  Originally described as a species by L.B. Smith, it is now recognized as a natural hybrid of Aechmea aquilega and Aechmea moonenii.  A large grower with spiny, strap-like leaves of bronzy-green form an upright rosette to over three feet tall.  

The inflorescence is nodding, with yellow branches in a loose cluster, and long pinkish-red scape bracts.  The flowers are deep yellow-orange.  

Our plants originated from a field collection by Moonen and came to us from the collection of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (SEL2006-0109).