This is a spectacular, large-growing species, descended from plants grown from seed collected by Wally Berg on Pico do Fernando, Bahia, Brazil. The plants have hundreds of narrow, strap-like, spiny leaves at maturity, recurving downward to form a graceful ball-like shape. Encholirium species grow much like the genus Dyckia, enjoying water in the growing season and a rest in cooler weather.

Can grow in filtered light or full sun. This species is monocarpic or occasionally making one or two offsets. The bloom spike can reach 4 feet in height and branches out, the flowers are large for bromeliads, with green bracts and petals filled with a pungent, sticky fluid, possibly to attract pollinators; bats have been seen pollinating this plant.

From the vicinity of Municipio de Grao Mogol, in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. A smallish species with secund leaves bearing very large marginal spines. The color silvery green to whitish with new growth being bright green. Sun exposure can cause the leaves to tint reddish or dark brownish-red. The inflorescence reaches about three feet tall and is simple, brownish-silver with flowers bearing green petals. The habit is clustering with short rhizomes. Grows in dry, rocky cerrado vegetation.