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Aechmea recurvata var. benrathii - A compact clumping plant to about 18 inches tall and spreading wide with time with rosettes of narrow 18 inch long slightly recurved green leaves with small teeth on the margines that are blackish near their bases and tinged pink and purple in bright light. In spring to summer appear the short flower spikes that rise just above the leaves with pink flowers that darken to purple with age that only extend slightly above the stiff reddish bracts and the entire plant flushes a darker red when in flower.
Plant in full sun to shade. Requires very little soil or water and it hardy at least to 25° F. This plant makes a care free groundcover
Aechmea recurvata var. benrathii is a naturally occurring variety from Santa Caterina in Southern Brazil. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'aichme' meaning "spearhead" or "a point" in reference to thorny tips on the sepals and bracts. The specific epithet is the Latin word meaning recurved in reference to the way the leaves arch over and the varietal name apparently honors a Mr. Benrath, who discovered the plant.
Information displayed on this page about Aechmea recurvata var. benrathii is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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