Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: skaapvreter, sheep-eater, turquoise puya

Family: Bromeliaceae (Bromeliad)

Distribution: Chile

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Comments: Unreal... Sublime... Other-worldly...Just a few of the words that describe the turquoise Puya. Each spring, this pineapple relative sends up a massive flower stalk 1.9 m tall and over 30 cm wide, covered with the most amazing flowers. The 5 cm blossoms are emerald-turquoise, and have bright orange anthers that contrast beautifully with the petals.