Gurken's orthophytum is a lithophytic herbaceous perennial native to the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais and is found in tropical and subtropical forests. This rare plant has leaves that resemble a zebra or snake pattern and is used as an ornamental houseplant. The plant is a member of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). The specific epithet, gurkenii, references Luiz Carlos Gurken, who discovered and collected many new and rare species of Bromeliaceae in Brazil. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained potting mix. To develop its almost black leaf color, it requires direct sunlight. If there is inadequate light, the leaves turn olive green. This plant does not have a central cup to store water like many other species in the Bromeliaceae. The plant is propagated by pups or offsets produced by the parent plant. It can also be propagated by seed, but this method is unreliable. The bromeliad grows 6 to 8 inches tall and up to 8 inches wide. It has thick, chocolate-brown to nearly black leaves with horizontal silver-white, zig-zag banding. The leaves are narrow but triangular and measure 8 to 10 inches long and are arranged in a rosette. The leaf margins have sharply toothed spines. Lime green plantlets produce small, white tubular flowers. The plantlets are arranged in clusters on the tip of a 1.5-to-2-foot spike. The seeds are small, black, and egg-shaped. Seedlings have dark green leaves with a white line in the center of the leaf. Consider this plant for its unusual foliage color and pattern as an ornamental houseplant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Overwatering can cause root rot.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Leaf color
Black; Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Deltoid
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are thick, chocolate brown to nearly black with horizontal silver-white, zig-zag banding that resembles a zebra or snake pattern. Each leaf is narrow but triangular and measures 8 to 10 inches long and is arranged in a rosette pattern. The leaf margins have sharply toothed spines. If the leaves receive insufficient light, they will become olive green.
Flower color
Green; Insignificant; White
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Lime green plantlets produce small, white tubular flowers that bloom in late spring to summer. The plantlets are arranged in clusters on the tip of a 1.5 to 2 foot spike.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit detail
The seeds are small, black, and egg-shaped.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Brazil
Distribution
Brazil Southwest
Play value
Easy to Grow
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Garden tags
#partial shade tolerant #non-toxic for cats #houseplant #herbaceous perennial #interesting leaves #container plant #full sun tolerant #non-toxic for dogs #humidity tolerant #tropical
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage; Scale Insects Found on Flowers and Foliage