Flowers: What is the name of this flower?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/132853...



I just ran across it on Google with no information about it. I'd love to see more images of it, too. The picture linked here looks like the flower is not fully bloomed.

Flowers: What is the name of this flower?
UPDATE: looking at your new photo, I'm going to say Aechmea (Aechmea fasciata or a hybrid probably) instead of Puya. Both Aechmea and Puya are bromeliads. You're much more likely to find Aechmea in this country, though, and you can easily grow it in a pot, unlike many Puyas.



***Another picture of Aechmea fasciata***

(this one's really close)



http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/...







It's not a dahlia--that's a spike with multiple buds. Dahlias are individual flowers. If you look at the buds you can also see that it has 3 petals. This would make it a monocot. Most garden flowers, including dahlias are dicots. Lilies and orchids are examples of monocots.



My guess is that it's a bromeliad, specifically a Puya. Bromeliads are from the pineapple family, and there are more than 100 species of Puya, so if it is a Puya it may be hard to track down the particular species.



Among the things that make me think it's a Puya are the vivid and contrasting colors on the flower spike. A lot of Puya flowers have colors that you don't normally find (see the first photo below)--there are very few blue orchids for example. On Puyas a number of flowers are arranged on a large spike. Like the mystery flower, Puyas have only 3 petals.



The flowers and flower spikes look so different between different species, but here are two examples. I think it looks sort of like the second one (Puya venusta):



http://ecran.fond.free.fr/austral/au_puy...

http://fcbs.org/images/Puya/Puya_venusta...



I think this is unlikely, but another possibility is some sort of ginger.

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Reply:I DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL
Reply:It is, indeed, a bromeliad.
Reply:It looks like a Dahlia. I hope you find out if no luck or even if you have luck for fun and great info try joining the following groups:

Daves garden

http://davesgarden.com/

Seedscavengers.com

http://groups.msn.com/SeedScavengersInc

Our Garden gang

http://groups.msn.com/OurGardenGang



You don't have to join Daves to do a search. These are really informative great groups for gardeners.



I look forward to finding out what you mystery flower is.
Reply:It looks like a Dahlia
Reply:you know i worked in lawn and garden for seven years and this one has me stumped but it is a beutiful flower. please when you find out will you let me know i would like more info on it myself. thanks.
Reply:Could be a Verbascum Caribbean Crush