Cryptanthus fosterianus

not known

fosterianus = after Mulford Bateman Foster, (25 December 1888 - 28 August 1978), botanist, is referred  by many as the "Father of Bromeliads" as he was instrumental in the discovery and introduction of many new bromeliad species in the United States.

terrestric in shady places, on the Atlantic coast of Brazil far inland, in the provinces of Rio Grande Do Norte, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Sergipe, Alagoas, Ceara and Bahia, partly also further south along the coast.

Cryptanthus species grow terrestrially as evergreen, perennial herbaceous plants. Most species are relatively small. The coarse, parallel-veined foliage leaves sit on a compressed main axis in a basal rosette. The stem leaves are slightly armed with a toothed leaf margin. The most decorative thing about the Cryptanthus species are their sometimes wavy, often beautifully patterned.
Cryptanthus only form a few roots and, like all other bromeliads, feed via suckers or the water in the calyx. After flowering, several keikis usually form from the heart, which can be easily removed and potted when 3-5cm of size.
Cryptanthus only achieve their full colour when they start to flower. The more light they get at this time, the more intense the leaf colour will be.