Hi everyone.

Lars - I'm sorry but I can't identify your plant, but I can explain why a situation like this where you buy a plant incorrectly named can occur. This isn't simply a case of the wrong tag being put in a pot as this name is not a registered name no matter what plant it's on.

For many years, plant nurseries
worldwide have been giving plants what’s commonly called “nurseryman’s names”,
these are names dreamed up by the nurseryman to make the plant appear more
attractive to the purchaser who, let’s face it, most of the time isn’t
interested in the true botanical or registered name of the plant and is just
buying the plant because they were attracted to it by its beauty or some other
interesting feature. Some of these names can describe the appearance of the
plant in a way that the buyer can more easily associate with and is more likely
to prompt them into buying it. Read more at: http://www.plantdelights.com/Article/Trademarks-in-Horticulture

Some examples that
come to mind are the “shrimp or prawn plant” (Justicia brandegeeana), so called
because their shape often reminds people of a shrimp or a prawn; another is the
“Matchstick bromeliad” (Aechmea gamosepala) so called because their shape resembles
a small matchstick. Another is what’s commonly called “old man’s whiskers or
beard” (Tillandsia usneoides) which doesn’t take much imagination to associate
its shape and grey colour to its common name. Probably one of the most common examples of
all, is the “Moth Orchid” (Phalaenopsis) which are sold in millions annually in
place of cut flowers for the home and so called because their flowers resemble
a moth with open wings.

People are more attracted to
these or “nurseryman’s” names than the true botanical name, as they are easier to
pronounce and they can associate them with what they are named after, and this
has proved to be a good marketing ploy on the part of the nurseryman. However,
this is in my opinion only a small part of the naming problem that exists, has
always existed and will continue to exist and it gets back to man and woman not
liking being told what to do.

In bromeliad growing, we have
system for naming and registering the names of bromeliad hybrids. This is called the Bromeliad Cultivar Register
(B.C.R.) which is compiled and maintained by the Bromeliad Society
International (B.S.I.).

The BSI is the only
International Cultivar Registration Authority for Bromeliaceae (Bromeliads), appointed
by the International Society for Horticultural Science's Commission for
Nomenclature and Cultivar Registration. Publication of bromeliad cultivar
photographs and relevant information on any other website do not constitute
registration.

Registering plant names on
this register assists growers in identifying plants and helps prevent the
duplication of the same name on different plants. However its use is not
compulsory, and this is where the problem lies, as many growers “worldwide”
chose to name their plants and not register the name, so we have many thousands
of plants in the world with names that aren’t registered.

Likewise many hybridisers
will give a plant a “pet name” for their own purpose as it’s easier to remember
a name than a long breeder’s number, unfortunately sometimes these plants are
sold, swapped or given away carrying this unregistered name which just adds to
the name confusion even more.

Registering a name for a
bromeliad isn’t difficult, it’s a free service and all that’s required are a
few details about the plant and a photo or two for identification purposes. And
what’s more it can all be done on line in a few minutes.

There are also many hobbyists
in Australia (and very likely other parts of the world as well) who will buy an
unnamed plant from the markets, a friend or receive it via a swap or a gift
from another grower and then take it home and give it their own “pet name”; sometimes
named after the friend, grower or the town from whence it came. This happens
often, it isn’t illegal and they are perfectly entitled to do it, but it does also
add to the duplication and confusion with names, but more importantly, leads to
cases like your plant where you have no way of being able to track down the
correct name.

My advice to you is, enjoy
your plant for what it is; or, if you have any Vriesea experts in your area
perhaps they could assist you in identifying it.

All the best Nev.

There is a Bromeliad Society close to where I live, and in fact they had a sale this week-end, but I did not discover that until 15 minutes before they are scheduled to close :(. I can go to one of their meetings, however, and perhaps get some information there. At this point, I do not need to buy any more bromeliads.

I had the idea that Meteor Shower was not an official name.

Call or email Paul at Rainforest flora. He will answer your questions. The plant could be from a well known hybridizer in Calif who may have named the plant. They are a good company.

I sent an email to Paul and attached photos so he will know what I am referring to. I agree that it is a good company, but some of the bromeliads are rather expensive. There was one that I wanted that was priced at $130, but it did have an outrageous flower spike. I did not buy that one but did buy one that was supposed to be similar but was not in flower. Maybe it will flower, but perhaps it will not, as I do not have a hothouse, and they also told me that heat helps makes the broms flower.

I got an email from Jerry at Rainforest Flora, and here is what he told me:

"We are not sure where this plant came from. I looked online on the
Florida Council of Bromeliad Societie's website and it is not
registered. It may be pending registration or it may be a name given by a
grower for reference and not registered.

Sorry we have no more information on this plant."

I think it must be a new hybrid.