Genus ID for a brom?

[meka]

I won a houseplant giveaway from a blog that I read and one of the plants that the lady sent was this bromeliad. Since it doesn't have an inflorescence, I'm guessing that it would be difficult to identify the species, but could anyone at least tell me the genus?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganekapellen/6175679355/" title="Bromeliad by meganekapellen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6175679355_71e2d196ba.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Bromeliad"></a>

The longest leaves are about 9" long and 1" wide. Each leaf blade is lightly serrated. From the base of the soil to the highest point, the brom currently stands about 8" high.

Edit:
Alright. I wiped down the leaves and got most of the white stuff off. I'm guessing that it was hard water residue. Anyway, here's how it looks now:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganekapellen/6176975178/" title="DSC01762 by meganekapellen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6176975178_e91b8e78da.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC01762"></a>

 

[swords]

Could be Aechmea fasciata but yours may have been in low light or gotten too much ferts which makes it longer and greener than it should be.

Here's two side by side:
http://www.bromeliad.com/16/bromeliads-proper-fertilizer-proper-growth/

Here's how they should look:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Aechmea&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=800&bih=434#um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=aechmea+fasciata&oq=aechmea+fa&aq=0&aqi=g3&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=40172l40378l0l42734l2l2l0l1l1l0l152l152l0.1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=2db3c5b6b3a3ffaa&biw=800&bih=434

 

[meka]

I was thinking it might be an Aechmea too. I wish it had the inflorescence so I could be a little more helpful.

 

[cpsammich]

Aechmea faciata
Edit: Whoops swords posted while I was looling all over google images

 

[meka]

How confident are you in that? I have one popsicle stick left and a Sharpie, so if I'm going to write this down, there's no going back.

Edit:
I'd just like to mention that the white on the plant rubs off. I think it's build-up from hard water. I added a new picture up above.

 

[cpsammich]

I'm pretty sure the white is something the plant makes
But i would assume it wouldn't matter that you rubbed it off

 

[meka]

Uh oh. I hope it won't matter...

 

[Natalie]

Yeah, the white powdery stuff was the plant's trichomes, which are used to absorb moisture and protect the plant from harsh sunlight. It shouldn't hurt the plant too much that you washed them off since (presumably) it's going to be inside, but as new leaves grow just leave the trichomes on.

 

[meka]

That is good to know. I'll definitely leave them alone from now on! I've never had a brom before, so this is all completely foreign to me. How long do these usually take to flower? I've heard that these are slow growers, but having never had one, I don't know how to guess the age of the one that I have.

 

[phil1]

Aechmea faciata
Poor plant

 

[thez_yo]

Yup.. here's mine larkin' around

 

[cpsammich]

Wow zu that's a nice one

 

[meka]

Aechmea faciata
Poor plant

The snarky remark wasn't necessary.

 

[meka]

I was looking online at common bromeliads and it seems that the one most stores sell is Guzmania. The leaves on mine come to a point, whereas Aechmea faciata leaves appear to be rounded. Any thoughts on this?