Puya raimondii

The Queen of the Andes, Puya raimondii, is a terrestrial Bromeliad native to the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. Related to the Pineapple, it forms a rosette of narrow, thorn-edged leaves spanning 8 to 9 feet in diameter. In cultivation, it can bloom as early as 24 years, typically around 28 years—significantly faster than in its natural habitat. Its flowers are creamy white, approximately 2 inches across, featuring vivid orange anthers.