The Billbergia family of bromeliads were named after Gustave
Billberg, the Swedish botanist. They are among the fastest and
the easiest growing bromeliads.  Compared with some of the other
bromeliads, they have a lean and hungry look. They have fewer
leaves and usually grow straight up. While the inflorescence
usually droops instead of standing erect, the bracts often hang
like flags or pennants, and the color combinations are
beautiful.  Billbergias are very tolerant plants. They are
natural epiphytes, but if they are pushed out of their tree,
they will keep right on growing in the ground.  Billbergia
Fantasia is a hybrid bromeliad that    multi-colored foot-long
leaves. See more pictures of bromeliads.   Billbergia 'Fantasia'
was produced by M. B. Foster from a cross between Billbergia
pyramidalis and Billbergia saundersii. It has foot-long,
celadon-green leaves with cream-colored splotches, bright red
bracts, and purple flowers.  Billbergia pyramidalis 'Albo
Marginata' is a white-margined variety of an old