Pitcairnia trianae

A perennial bromeliad native to western South America, it belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. Its numerous, narrow leaves have spines near their bases. A stout, upright flowering stalk can reach about six and a half feet tall and initially bears white, cobweb-like hairs. The inflorescence is densely packed with flowers except near its base. White or pale yellow petals are about as long as the stamens. The flowers spread outward or bend backward. It grows on moist, rocky slopes in cloud forests. Photographed in Colombia.