One of two forms of this small, rainforest-dwelling Bromelia species from Ecuador and Peru. One form has become more prevalent, the form with long, spineless petioles, from Ecuador. The other form, with short, broad, spiny petioles and spiny leaves, from Peru is now the much rarer one. It’s hard to believe that this is the same species as the Ecuadorean form which is spineless and has very slim, long petioles on its leaves.

This form has short, broad petioles that are spiny as is the wide leaf blade. The inflorescence is nested in the center and the cup blushes deep red at anthesis, with the color spreading out about half way to the leaf tips. Even though it is spiny and can reach 24 inches across, it is in no way the sort of vicious plant that many Bromelia species are.

A rare collector item that is small enough and tame enough to grow in a pot or garden.