Aechmea castelnavii VIPP 1-6-20 The dark burgundy black leaves

The dark burgundy black leaves have snow white spines along their margins

glacous green above

A interesting looking plant with green colored leaves that have a wide cream colored variegated stripe running the length of each leaf

with violet to purple foliage that darkens as it matures to almost black at the base

red on the bottoms and yellow or yellow-green on top

Aechmea castelnavii VIPP 1-6-20 The dark burgundy black leavesWhen mature, this species has leaves that define the word stiff. Light green and spiny, they form a large, open rosette. The inflorescence is a panicle of large berries that turn from white to blue when ripe. This species is native over a broad but spotty range from Costa Rica to Bolivia and east to Brazil. It can reach 30 inches across and is a good landscape plant for south Florida. Not often seen nowadays.