As rare as they come. This is a beauty from Bahia, Brazil described by Luther & Norton, SEL96-0587A. A showy species with center leaves upright, fairly stiff and bright maroon-red. Lower leaves tend to drape over. Mature at about 3 feet tall, it produces a showy inflorescence with a red rachis and branches with greenish sepals that starts erect then drapes over of its own weight. A showy species suited to full sun. This plant is in few collections, anywhere.

A very confusing taxa which has been variously considered Cryptanthus, Orthophytum (supthutii), Lapa and currently; Lapanthus.  A small rosette of thin, semi-stiff leaves with small marginal spines and a nidular inflorescence lacking a scape. 

The bright orange-yellow flowers, borne in a cluster, are long and tubular.  By general appearances it would comfortably fit in any of several genera.  Certainly rare and unusual and a first class collector item.  Needs excellent drainage.  We recommend 'dirty Pearlite', that is Pearlite with a little peat mixed in.