Flower of the Billbergia nutans

Billbergia nutans or "Queen Tears" plant with a flower that is a rich array of colors.

Exotic Queens Tears Flower

It appears this plant is a Billbergia nutans or "Queen Tears".   The flower is a rich array of colors (red, blue, green, purple, yellow).  First a red stalk emerges from the center of the plant.  Colorful "tear" shapes drop out of the stalk as the stalk leans parallel to the ground.  The purple/blue/green tears then begin to open into three petal flowers. Each petal has a purple outer rim with a greenish center.  This plant first bloomed for me right after I received it in November 2007.  The bloom stalks started to appear in late November and the blooms began to emerge on December 3, 2009.

Plasma Ball

Here are some pictures taken of a plasma ball at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tennessee. I must say that have some very nice science exhibits using some cool display technologies in the building. Most of the science center is aimed at small to grade school level children with the exception of the astronomy area.  Highly recommended if you have children in this age group or if you are interested in astronomy .

10 second exposure shot of the plasma ball in action.