In 1977 in the Journal of the Bromeliad Society page 121, Victoria Padilla had a photograph which had this caption "A hybrid of the old European cross known as B. 'Wendii'" In my investigation of Billbergia 'Windii' and 'Theodore L. Mead' (which I proved to my own satisfaction are identical) this photograph was brought into the equation! But it looks nothing like Billbergia 'Windii' and perhaps the caption should have said "An unnamed hybrid from the old European cross B. 'Windii'" In any event this too is misleading because in my experience all hybrids with B. 'Windii' in their makeup show the traits of the ubiquitous B. nutans! This trait is not apparent from the photograph.
Anyway, this plant is a 'dead ringer' for our little hybrid. It clearly has links with Billbergia amoena in its many forms and has even been misidentified with Billbergia nana. So if you do have a plant called Billbergia nana I would suggest you check its credentials.
Our plant can be described as having a tight tube of leaves to 20cm high where the leaves are only 3cm wide, green with a few white spots and barring, and sometimes with a pinkish hue. The erect scape exceeds the leaf tube and the 3-4 large, red scape bracts hold their colour for some time. The inflorescence has only 4-5 flowers which are green but tipped with bright blue on both the sepals and petals.
So, the plant we knew as 'Windigig x speciosa' is now named 'Windigig Special'.
As you know, Cultivars can only be listed by name and not by formula which is the reason for this slight change in name. If, by any chance, you do know any more history about this mystery please let me know."
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