leaves 15–20 in a long rosette, above a foot long, 1–1 ½ in; broad, moderately firm in texture, often undulated, plain green on the face, white-lepidote on the back, narrowed gradually to the point, the marginal prickles close and minute. flowers few in a head in the centre of the rosette; perianth-blade white, oblong, acute, protruding nearly an inch from the calyx. stamens reaching nearly to the tip of the petals.Edited from : Baker 1889. (protologue) Handbook of the Bromeliaceae .