leaves lanceolate from an ovate base, l ½ –2 ft; long, 1 ½ in; broad at the middle, thin, flexible, sub-glabrous, narrowed to the tip. inflorescence: peduncle stout, nearly as long as the leaves; upper bract-leaves adpressed, imbricated; fertile part a narrow panicle a foot long, with many short spreading dense oblong spikes; lowest subsessile, l ½ –2 in; long, an inch broad; branch-bracts ovate, lowest 2–3 in; long; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 1 ½ in; long. flowers: calyx as long as the bract; sepals lanceolate; petal-blade oblong, violet, ½ in; long.Edited from : Baker 1889. (protologue) Handbook of the Bromeliaceae .