It's name is derived from the fact that the flower bracts and leaf sheaths hold rainwater, which a weary traveler could use when no other water source was available. It has huge palm like leaves that can reach 12 feet long and over a foot wide. Makes a striking inside houseplant when young, it will eventually outgrow most containers. Bright red midribs underneath. White flowers inside of long, bronze-red bracts.
Mature plants bear attractive rusty brown cones.
Excellent container plant or outside plant in warm areas. A slow growing succulent like plant with a swollen, contorted base and an abundance of carmine-rose flowers when mature. This is a long leaved woody vine to 20 ft. Flowers are tubular, bright red at the mouth, fading to yellow at the base. A fast growing large tropical shrub that can reach 15 ft. tall or be pruned to size.