I was given this plant by someone who has a slightly colder climate than I do. It has recovered from cold damage during the winter of 2010 and is looking good.
BSI Journal: BROMELIADS OF THE GENUS AECHMEA IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
One of the more interesting epiphytic species is Aechmea aripensis, which was described from Cerro del Aripo in 1926 and which is rather uncommonly found on the summits of several of the higher peaks of the Northern Range. The plants are large (leaves 2 1/2 ft. long, 2 ins. wide and somewhat lax) rosette-shaped, with the inflorescence growing out of the center on a tall 2 1/2 ft. stiff stem or scape. The inflorescence resembles a large spiny thistle, deep reddish purple in colour, mounted on several broad, bright red, primary bracts. Emerging from the mass of spines are small bright bluish-purple flowers. Aechmea aripensis is known to flower from April to July.