leaves thin, flexible, subglabrous, lorate, obtuse, 2½ ft; long, 1½–2 in; broad at the middle. inflorescence: peduncle 2 - 3 ft; long; bract-leaves many, all small, adpressed, scariose; fertile part a simple moderately dense spike 6–8 in; long, with all the flowers ascending; floral bracts ovate, acute, reddish, nearly an inch long. flowers: calyx not longer than the bract; petals not seen.Edited from : Baker 1889. (protologue) Handbook of the Bromeliaceae .