leaves: blade coarsely and laxly spinose-serrate, the basal spines retrorse. inflorescence: peduncle stout; syncarp over 15 cm long at maturity, succulent; floral bracts conspicuous, imbricate and covering the ovaries, coarsely serrate, pale green at maturity. flowers: petals bearing vertical folds.Edited from : Smith & Downs 1979. Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) in Flora Neotropica.