This epiphytic perennial forms a clump of foliage in a rosette. It has glossy dark green lanced-shaped leathery leaves and the red-yellow tube-shaped flowers appear in flattened raceme with colourful bracts during summer above the foliage on a long scape.

Hardiness zones 11 to 12

Vriesea carinata is naturally found in Brazil growing in well drained, fertile moist light soils or as a epiphyte it prefers moist composted leaf mould. It grows in a semi-shaded to bright filtered light position with wind, frost and drought protection.

Lobster Claws is a colourful plant that is commonly grown as a potted specimen for indoors and outdoors or is planted in a moist shaded rockery or grown in tropical gardens and around water features or on trees. In cool regions it is grown in a glasshouse and establishes from division in 2 to 3 years. ID 1314

Vriesea(VREEZ-ee-a)carinata(kă-ri-NAH-ta)

Bromeliaceae(bro-mee-lee-AY-see-ee)