Aechmea ornata nationalis Family: Bromeliaceae Common Name(s): Grown by: David Feix, Berkeley This is a hardy bromeliad from southeast Brazil that looks remarkably like a yellow and green variegated agave. At close inspection, it has a very un-agave central flower spike. David said this specimen took 10 years to bloom. It takes sun or shade and survives down to 25 degrees. Photo by Steve Morse