A stunning Venezuelan species with deep chocolate-brown over deep-green leaves, with abundant silver banding. Formerly known as venezuelana, it is a giant that can reach nearly 4 feet tall in a tubular, vase-shape, but normally remains a manageable size if kept in a 6-8 inch pot. Stout spines line the leaf margins. The inflorescence is nothing short of spectacular, a huge pendant panicle of bright pink bracts with white ovaries and large green petals that coil back like clock springs.

A nice cultivar of (Billbergia vittata ‘Domingos Martins’ x leptopoda) from Jim Irvin.  This plant develops into a nice tight upright tube of stiff leaves with pronounced black spines.  Leaf color is dark green/black that is covered with irregular spots and blotches of white and coral.  The inflorescence is red with purple petals.