Puya alpestris aka Sapphire Tower

Puya alpestris, a species of bromeliad native to the Chilean Andes, is known for its ability to thrive in dry and harsh environments. Growing in dry hills and rock outcrops in central and southern Chile, this evergreen, terrestrial bromeliad forms a clump of narrow, arching, dark green leaves adorned with spines along the margins. Reaching a height of about 60cm, P. alpestris stands out during summer when it produces tall, dense spikes of striking metallic turquoise to almost black flowers, complemented by vibrant orange anthers. Belonging to the large genus of Puya, which comprises around 199 species, P. alpestris is one of the few that are cultivated in parks and gardens as an ornamental plant. However, it is worth noting that the genus includes the world's largest bromeliad species, Puya ramondii, which can grow up to an impressive 30 feet in height and 9 feet in width. Puyas, in general, are well-adapted to extreme climates due to their natural habitat in the high elevations of the Andes Mountains across South America, with only two species found outside this range in Costa Rica. With their terrestrial nature, Puyas differ from most bromeliads as they grow directly in the ground, utilizing their roots to extract nutrients and water from the soil. Their ability to withstand freezing temperatures and thrive in such challenging conditions contributes to their hardiness and appeal as unique and resilient ornamental plants.