" In the BSI Journal #5 1988 p209 Harry Luther pointed out that a Neoregelia farinosa had been known since the early 1970's as Neoregelia carolinae var. roseostriata. Not only had this variety not been formally named but no-one had queried if it was this species. As Harry pointed out this cultivar bears no resemblance to Neoregelia carolinae even out of flower. We are now a further 10 years down the track and yet the name is persistently linked to N. carolinae. It is better to use the name 'Rosea - Striata' on your label as suggested in BCR page 304 and to drop reference to either N. carolinae or N. farinosa. BUT only if your plant is like the pictured plant. Note the red lines AND the dusty red colouring of the centre leaves.There are other plants OUT THERE called Neoregelia carolinae var. roseo-lineata and variations on this name such as Neoregelia carolinae var striata which are different to the picture and which do show tendencies toward N. carolinae or a hybrid of it. All, strictly speaking, are wrongly named because such a variety has not been formally described. Confusing, isn't it? To think this is all caused by lack of attention to detail and not writing about a query when you see it.
The occurrence of reddish longitudinal lines is not uncommon in neoregelias and it does seem to be an inheritable factor. For example, we had Neoregelia 'Burbank' in Australia and which was used as a parent to produce, amongst others, N. 'Fireworks' and 'Jet Age'. From Kent's nursery in California we got 'Electric Red'. From Mulford Foster we got 'Peppermint Stick' But what about 'Mary's Favorite' which suggests US origin because of the spelling of favourite! Then there is the "carolinae rosea-lineata" used by Vic Przetocki to produce the likes of 'Rosa Delight' , 'Rosa Deluxe', and 'Rosa Yvonne'.
Why am I writing this? To try to stop a similar problem occurring in 2008! "
see also Neoregelia 'Green Cherry'