They are bromeliads. Off the cuff, I'd guess they are most likely a variety of Aechmea. Less likely but possibly a variety of Vriesea. There are a few other less common genera & bi-generic crosses it could be, but realistically until they bloom it will be nearly impossible to tell.

They could also be pineapples.

porkpal said:They could also be pineapples.

True. The leaves look kinda wide for me to think pineapple (Ananas sp.), but that is also definitely a possibility. I think pineapple leaves also come to more of a longer tapered point, whereas Aechmea (and a number of other species) have more blunt, rounds ends with a tiny point topping it off. The pictured variety leaf tips doesn't seem to be especially blunt, but they aren't long and tapered like pineapples - at least the pineapples I've seen.

Carter said:They are bromeliads. Off the cuff, I'd guess they are most likely a variety of Aechmea. Less likely but possibly a variety of Vriesea. There are a few other less common genera & bi-generic crosses it could be, but realistically until they bloom it will be nearly impossible to tell.

Someone at the botanical garden where I took the photo thought it was a bromeliad too. I tried looking for a flower in the center but there was nothing at the time. Hopefully it will be in bloom the next time I visit so I can take another picture. I almost thought it was a yucca. Is that possible?

It superficially resembles yucca, but this is definitely a bromeliad. And when it blooms, it will probably be a large, colorful flowering spike that stands high above the foliage anywhere from a foot to several feet (or more) depending on which cultivar it is. In other words, not something you'd miss or overlook!