Tapeinochilos ananasse

Perennial herbaceous up to 2 m tall. Leaves narrowly obovate, sharp, shiny, arranged in a spiral on the stem. Basal inflorescence up to 10 cm long, very showy and vaguely resembling a pineapple. Floral bracts arranged in a spiral, curved, scarlet or crimson in colour, from which small yellow tubular flowers emerge. It grows in the tropical forests of northern Queensland, New Guinea and Indonesia (Maluku province). It requires slightly drained soil and a shaded position. Regular watering during the summer but only once or twice a month in the winter. The species maintains vegetation all year round if kept in winter at a temperature above 10°C, otherwise it loses its aerial vegetation to regrow in spring. Not hardy.