Fingernail plant

Description

Neoregelia spectabilis (fingernail plant) is a species of flowering plant in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the South Brazilian rainforest. Growing to 40 cm (16 in) tall by 80 cm (31 in) wide, it produces rosettes of up to 30 red-tipped strap-shaped leaves, the inner leaves coloured red; and, in summer, blue flowers with red or purple bracts. The specific epithet spectabilis means showy or spectacular. With a minimum temperature of 10 °C (50 °F), N. spectabilis is cultivated as a houseplant in temperate regions. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.