Neoregelia Fireball ‘Donger’

Blushing bromeliad

Neoregelias are bromeliads that are native to eastern Brazil. This variety is a cultivar, not found in nature. The name Neoregelia Fireball ‘Donger’ isn’t botanically valid. “Neoregelia” is a valid genus name, but “Fireball” isn’t a species name, and is not shown in lowercase as a species name would be. It is a cultivar name. And sure enough, there is a Neoregelia ‘Fireball’ and a Neoregelia ‘Donger.’ So it turns out that this is a cultivar of a cultivar—‘Donger’ is derived from ‘Fireball.’ That sort of parentage isn’t usually included in names, though, so Neoregelia ‘Donger’ is a more suitable moniker.

But there’s more to this minor mystery. Nobody seems to know where Neoregelia ‘Fireball’ came from. Sure, it is a bromeliad cross of some kind, but what were the parent species? Apparently neither parent is known. Illegitimate child? Immac­ulate conception? Or poor record-keeping? As one vendor put it, “Despite lacking proper classification, Neoregelia 'Fireball' is a highly sought-after plant.”

Plants: 9–10″ (22–25 cm) tall.

Leaves: Thick, shiny, straplike leaves emerge from a central point. The narrow leaves have a greenish center with white edges, all of which are tinged with a deep pink color. (Obscure botany term of the day: albomarginated—having white-bordered leaves. Except that in this particular case, the edges become deep pink in full sun, because the entire leaf reddens.)

Flowers: Inconspicuous.

Fruits: ?

Habitats: Tropical, preferring moderate to high humidity and well-drained soils.

Online References:

Neoregelia ‘Donger’ description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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