Pitcairnia flammea

Pitcairnia flammea, the 'flame' Bromeliad

This is one of the more cold tolerant bromeliads from Brazil which forms a rosette or clump of long smooth leaves , dark green in colour on the surface and felty white beneath. The layer of white is called scurf which sounds like some form of dandruff which it resembles. This is the first time I have seen a flower on this Brom . The flower spike does resemble a flaming torch but it does lurch over under the weight of the head. As it requires a certain amount of soil moisture to do well, it is better suited to a woodland garden of retentive humus rich soil rather than the dry shade under trees which other bromeliads are able to cope with. When not on flower this plant can look a bit scruffy when not given ideal growing conditions, with the leaves becoming marked and ragged when water stressed. It will take a full sun position but the leaves may be paler verging on yellow.
2017 update: I have plants available from time to time.