The Bromeliad Page
Bromeliaceae - Pineapple Family

Deuterocohnia brevifolia  (Grisebach) M.A.Spencer & L.B.Smith 1993
is a succulent terrestrial Bromeliad forming dense cushions of tightly-packed rosettes when grown in a good light. Individual rosettes are smaller than those of D. lorentziana. The grey-green leaves are sharply pointed and may bear a few small marginal teeth. Inflorescences of three yellowish-green tubular flowers appear repeatedly on the same rosette, which unusually for a bromeliad does not die after flowering.
 
This species is native to Argentina and Boliovia. May tolerate light frost.

Deuterocohnia lorentziana  (Mez) M.A.Spencer & L.B.Smith 1993
is a popular succulent terrestrial Bromeliad forming dense mounds of rosettes when grown in a good light. The grey-green leaves are sharply pointed and may bear a few small marginal teeth. Inflorescences of three yellowish-green tubular flowers appear repeatedly on the same rosette, which unusually for a bromeliad does not die after flowering.
 
This species is native to Argentina.

Dyckia frigida  Hooker fils. 1877
Native to Brazil.

Dyckia maritima  Baker 1889
Native to Brazil.

Hechtia argentea  Baker 1881

The long, pale green leaves taper to a point and have heavily toothed, silvery margins. The silvery coating on the leaves develops with age, but is easily washed or rubbed off, soiling the appearance. The long inflorescence carries clusters of white flowers on short spurs. Several flower stalks are produced by a mature rosette.
 
This venerable plant in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew was discovered in a Mexican canyon in 1860, so is well over 150 years old. It was exhibited at the Plant Exposition in Brussels in 1864 where it was awarded "Best in Show". Some leaf discolouration caused by dripping water a few years ago is growing out.

Hechtia texensis  S. Watson 1885 (Texas False Agave)
This xerophytic Bromeliad forms a large caudex to enable it to survive hot, dry conditions. The long, tapering green leaves have well-spaced teeth along their margins. Rosettes offset at their base to form huge clumps.
 
Hechtia texensis grows on limestone in Texas and Northern Mexico.
Photographed in the Big Bend National Park near the Rio Grande.

Puya alpestris  Gay 1854 (Sapphire Tower)
This terrestrial Bromeliad produces rosettes of elongated bluish leaves with spiny margins and an exceptional flower spike. The individual flowers are an intense sky-blue with orange anthers. Their copious nectar attracts pollinating birds. Individual rosettes die after flowering, but before flowering they offset freely from their base to form a clump.
 
Native to Chile and moderately hardy in a sheltered, free draining position. As the foliage has sharp edges, it should be planted at a distance to paths.
Left: Growing outside in the alpine rockery at RBG Kew where it has survived several recent harsh winters.

Puya chilensis  Molina 1782 (Chagual)
A terrestrial Bromeliad from the arid slopes of the Andes. The large rosette is formed from strap-like leaves with sharp, hooked marginal spines. The inflorescence is a dense head of yellowish-green flowers with bright orange anthers, at the end of a 6 - 12 ft stem. The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar and are bird pollinated.
 
Native to Chile. Will tolerate slight frost but dislikes wet Winters. Said to be deer-proof.