This is a stunning species that was new to science in 1992. Since then it has entered cultivation and has been quite widely cultivated. As with any new plant, eventually one or more clones are selected to be grown on and the rest seem to fade into oblivion. There are already a few clones that have been given cultivar names and more that may.

This one we simply call the ‘best clone’ here at the nursery, not just because of its nice bloom, but because of the foliage. This form is light green with rosy red leaf tips. The red coloration extends inward with maturity and especially in fall when the temperatures begin to moderate. The inflorescence of this form is nice too; a panicle of fiery-red berries and red flowers which rises well above the foliage. A must for your collection and great in landscapes.

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Differs widely in appearance from its more common relative, Portea petropolitana v. petropolitana. Growing in a spreading , open rosette of densely lepidote, silvery leaves that are pointed and bear black spines on the margins. The inflorescence is a panicle of loose branches and bracts of lavender, very attractive. Grows to over 30 inches tall and wide.

If you go back far enough, you may remember Portea ‘Pink Shadow’. This is (or was) that plant. It sold under that name for a few years until it’s true identity was found out, but that was years ago.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A medium to large growing plant with stiff, channeled leaves averaging 30 inches long and two inches wide with stout, black marginal spines. The leaves are medium green with a grayish scurf, heaviest on the undersides. They have a terminal spine and blush blackish-brown in strong light. It forms a funnel-form rosette to 4 feet across and at anthesis can reach over 3 feet tall.

The inflorescence is a branched panicle with a stiff scape of bright orange, orange branches with orange bracts, sometimes dusted with silver trichomes. The ovaries are blue-gray and the petals bright purplish blue. This plant was brought from Brazil in 1996 where it was reportedly collected by Pedro Nahoum and Chester Skotak. Although it keys closest to Portea petropolitana var. noettigii, it is not typical of that plant (per Harry Luther of the MFBIC) and may be a hybrid. It was named as a cultivar in honor of Helga Tarver, an avid amateur taxonomist in Clearwater, Florida.

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A clone of Portea alatisepala with an open rosette of wide green, black spined leaves which grows to well over 24 inches. The inflorescence is a panicle of lavender berries and lavender flowers which rises well above the foliage.

*Domestic shipping only