On one of my many collecting trips here in Corupa, in the State of Santa Catarina, Brasil, I discovered this new variety at approximately 500 meters altitude on a mountain slope where thousands of the typical Vriesea ensiformis grow. Not until about two years ago had I ever observed any variation of this species, and I was agreeably surprised to find this exceptionally beautiful variety which only now (March 1963 ) is flowering here for the first time. The original collection grew on a giant fallen tree on the sunny side of the Morro da Igreja (Church Mountain).
As can be seen the variety forms a really showy rosette of pale green leaves broadly banded with creamy yellow, while the erect inflorescence displays spreading bright red bracts and yellow flowcrs. Vriesea ensiformis is one of the most freely growing of Brazilian bromeliads, living equally well on trees, rocks, or soil, but always in the shade or half-shade. —SeeSmith & Downs 1977
