leaves lanceolate, 2 ft; long, 2–2 ½ in; broad at the middle, thin, flexible, subglabrous. inflorescence: peduncle much shorter than the leaves; bract-leaves small, ovate-cuspidate, ovate, scariose; fertile part a dense simple spike 6–8 in; long; floral bracts ovate, subobtuse, 1 ½ in; long. flowers: calyx rather shorter than the bract; petals not seen.Edited from : Baker 1889. (protologue) Handbook of the Bromeliaceae .