Eastern Andes of Colombia 1700 meters what flowering plant is this?

Southern Colombia.

 

There are some Pitcairnia species that look rather like this.

 

Pitcairnia maidifolia?
http://www.photomazza.com/?Pitcairnia-maidifolia

 

Thanks, I believe you are correct
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/pitcairnia_maidifolia.htm

 

It looks like they are growing terrestrially - are they, or are they growing on something else?

 

Pitcairnia is a large genus and many of the species are terrestrial or grow among rocks. They can make attractive and tough garden plants for mild climates.

 

I have only seen two species of Pitcairnia and both were growing on the ground.