leaves: blade coarsely and laxly spinose-serrate, the spines all ascending, concolorous peduncle stout, usually short; syncarp over 15 cm long at maturity, succulent; floral bracts conspicuous, imbricate and covering the ovaries, coarsely serrate, colored at maturity. flowers: petals bearing scales.Edited from : Smith & Downs 1979. Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) in Flora Neotropica.