leaves ensiform-acuminate, rigidly coriaceous, a foot long, an inch broad at the base of the blade, densely finely lepidote. inflorescence: peduncle 2 ft; long; panicle as long as the peduncle; lower branches very compound; final spikes dense, distichous, 1–2 in; long, ¼ in; diam; ; floral bracts oblong-lanceolate, ½ in; long. flowers: calyx as long as the bract; petal-blade purple, obovate-cuneate, ⅓ - ½ in; long.Edited from : Baker 1889. (protologue) Handbook of the Bromeliaceae .