leaves not distinctly petioled, lanceolate, 2–3 ft; long, l–1 ½ in; broad at the middle, acuminate, chartaceous, spine-edged towards the base, green and glabrous above, white-furfuraceous beneath. inflorescence: peduncle 2 ft; long; bract-leaves long and produced; racemes lax, simple or slightly compound; axis slightly furfuraceous. flowers: pedicel ascending, ¼ - ½ in long; bracts small, lanceolate; sepals lanceolate, reddish, ¾ - 7/8 in long; petals bright red, scaled at the base, 2 in; long.Edited from : Baker 1889. (protologue) Handbook of the Bromeliaceae .