Aechmea vallerandii vipp 5-21 rubiginosum or a possible natural

rubiginosum or a possible natural hybrid

The foliage is very tough and is various shades of green

A hybrid of (fasciculata (Mexico) x flabellata ‘Giant Red’) showing influence of both parents

Not much of a blush at anthesis

Aechmea vallerandii vipp 5-21 rubiginosum or a possible naturalAn Ecuadorian plant, formerly Streptocalyx poeppigii which then became Aechmea beeriana but since 2008 has been classified as Ae. vallerandii. This lovely species has fairly stiff, spiny, deep green, silver dusted leaves in a moderate sized rosette, to about 30 inches. Its stunning inflorescence has many small branches and bright red bracts frosted with silver, tipped in white with inky blue flowers.