I am trying to find out the name of my neighbour's plant for her. It is quite a few years old and has only flowered twice in six years. I am not a gardener, but it looks like a succulent. I enclose a few pictures of it in flower.
You can't see too well, but the leaves and petals have small prickles on them, (which is why I think it is part of the succulent/cacti family).
The leaves are also green and whitish in stripes. Thank you your help.
This is Aechmea fasciata, variety 'Morgana'. It's an epiphytic bromeliad; not technically a succulent, but functionally similar. Common names include "silver vase plant" and "urn plant." The sporadic flowering is normal, and this specimen looks quite healthy.
