leaves short, green above, tinged with red beneath. inflorescence a lax multifarious spike 3–4 in; long, each flower subtended by a chartaceous rose-tinted spreading or falcate lanceolate bract 3–4 in; long. flowers: calyx 1 in; long; petal-blade white, oblanceolate-unguiculate, protruding an inch beyond the calyx. stamens nearly as long as the petals.Edited from : Baker 1888. (protologue) Synopsis of Tillandsieae (continued) .