Come see our flowering Alcanterea imperialis 'Rubra'.

This alpine bromeliad is native to the mountains (1500 metre level) near Rio de Janerio, Brazil. It takes about 15 years to reach maturity when it forms a single flower spike which can reach 2.5m. Hundreds of slightly fragrant flowers develop before the plant eventually dies back to the ground. Shoots, referred to as "pups" then arise from the base. Our plant with its flower spike is now taller than most NBA players.

This plant was given to The Gardens by the Crystal Gardens, a former Victoria landmark, prior to its closing in 2005. The plant current resides in the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden, a temporary garden which runs through to March 31st.