Description
Leaf blades 5-6.5 cm wide, very broadly rounded, then apiculate or triangular-attenuate, with broad dark (purple-red) irregular crossbands. Raceme to 55 cm long and mostly not over 5 cm wide, linear or linear-lanceolate. Floral bracts 4-6 times as long as the internodes.
Distribution
E. Venezuela present, French Guiana present
E. Venezuela to French Guiana. 38 collections studied (14 — GU, 11 — SU, 10 — FG).
Citation
Richter 1962: Bromeliaceen: 269, 277
Cultivation
Commercially grown in great numbers for a long period of time; in cultivation usually only select forms (cultivars) are found, known as the "Flaming Sword"; easily grown in window and greenhouse at a bright (not sunny) location; demands watering between the sheaths.
