Species in Tillandsia

A saxicolous species from Guerrero, Mexico. It has thick, succulent, gray leaves that form a bulbous base and a striking red inflorescence.

Tillandsia cacticola is a silvery-leaved epiphytic bromeliad native to Peru. It typically grows on cacti and other xerophytic plants in arid environments. It produces a branched inflorescence with lavender to pale purple flowers and distinctive inflated bracts.

Known for its sweetly fragrant, purple flowers. A small, caulescent species with silver-gray leaves, native to the dry forests of Ecuador and Peru.

Endemic to Peru. It is a saxicolous or epiphytic species with gray-lepidote leaves, producing a red floral spike.

Native to Jamaica, restricted to limestone formations. It resembles T. utriculata but is smaller and grows lithophytically.

Endemic to Mexico. An epiphytic species with a rosette of gray-green leaves and a pink inflorescence, found in dry forests.

A small, clump-forming species native to Bolivia and Argentina. It has brownish-gray leaves and produces fragrant, brown-spotted yellow flowers.

A large epiphytic species native to Mexico. It features a rosette of wide, green leaves and produces a colorful, branched inflorescence.

Native to Mexico and Guatemala. A robust species with soft, gray-green leaves forming a dense rosette, often turning reddish before blooming.

Historically treated as a species but often considered a synonym or variety of Tillandsia fasciculata. It shares the characteristic stiff, gray leaves and colorful spikes.

A striking species from Oaxaca, Mexico. It has a large rosette of flexible, sub-glabrous leaves and a densely branched, colorful inflorescence.

Endemic to Colombia. This species inhabits cloud forests and is characterized by its thin leaves and specific floral structure.

A saxicolous species from the dry valleys of Bolivia. It has stiff, gray, lepidote leaves and grows in clumps on rocks.

Native to Central America. A large epiphyte with soft, green leaves covered in fine scales, producing a tall, branched inflorescence.

A Caribbean species found in Cuba and Jamaica. It is a small epiphyte with gray-green leaves, sometimes confused with T. berteroniana.

Tillandsia capillaris is a small, highly variable epiphytic bromeliad distributed across a wide range in South America. It has very slender, hair-like silvery leaves and produces small, tubular flowers. It commonly grows in large clusters on trees, cacti, and rocks.

Endemic to Mexico. It forms a rosette of gray, lepidote leaves and produces a simple, flattened inflorescence with yellow flowers.

A highly variable and hardy species native to Mexico and the Caribbean, growing both epiphytically on trees and saxicolously on rocks and cliff faces. Forms a rosette of soft, velvety, silvery-green leaves that change to peach, pink, or red when approaching bloom. Extremely variable in size and coloration, with numerous cultivars including Peach, Red, Yellow, and Maroon forms. One of the most drought-tolerant Tillandsias. Produces purple tubular flowers from a compact head-like inflorescence.

One of the most widespread and commonly cultivated Tillandsia species, named for its resemblance to the serpentine hair of the mythological Medusa. Features thick, channeled leaves up to 25 cm long that twist and curl from an inflated pseudobulb base. The bulbous base often hosts ant colonies in the wild. Native from Mexico through Central America, distributed from sea level to 2,400 meters. Produces red inflorescences with violet tubular flowers. A silver-leaved species adapted to drought conditions.

Native to Bolivia. It resembles T. vernicosa but differs in floral details. The leaves are stiff and gray, adapted to seasonally dry habitats.

A large tank-type epiphytic bromeliad with countless narrow, silvery gray leaves and a tall inflorescence with bright red bracts bearing long, ribbon-like tips. It is native to high-elevation oak-pine forests in southern Mexico. The species has been the subject of ecological research regarding its host preferences and arthropod communities.

An endemic species from Chiapas, Mexico, characterized by a unique rosette with drooping lower leaves and semi-erect upper leaves, producing a digitate inflorescence.

Tillandsia carminea is a small epiphytic bromeliad native to Ecuador and Peru. It produces narrow, silver-scaled leaves and vivid carmine-red floral bracts with tubular violet flowers, making the inflorescence visually distinctive.

A relatively large species native to the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia, found growing epiphytically or lithophytically.

An epiphytic species native to Colombia, typically growing in wet tropical biomes.

A rupicolous species from the dry forests of Guatemala, featuring a long inflorescence with purple flowers.

A pseudobulbous species native to Costa Rica, known for its distinct castaneous (chestnut-colored) bulbous base.

An epilithic species endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain in Espirito Santo, Brazil, often found on rocky outcrops.

A small, highly xerophytic species of the subgenus Diaphoranthema, endemic to arid environments in Argentina.

A small, high-altitude species native to the Amazonian slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, featuring dark violet petals.

An endemic lithophytic species restricted to the Caatinga vegetation of the Catimbau National Park in northeastern Brazil.

Tillandsia caulescens is a caulescent (stem-forming) epiphytic bromeliad native to South America. It develops an elongated stem bearing small, silver-scaled leaves arranged alternately, and produces a simple spike inflorescence with tubular flowers.

Tillandsia cauliflora is a small epiphytic bromeliad native to South America. It is characterized by its caulescent growth habit and produces flowers along the stem. The leaves are narrow and covered with silver scales.

Tillandsia cauligera is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Peru. It is a caulescent species with elongated stems and narrow, silver-scaled leaves. The inflorescence is a simple spike bearing tubular flowers.

Tillandsia cees-goudae is a species of epiphytic bromeliad named in honor of Cees Gouda, a Dutch botanist. It is native to South America and belongs to the silver-leaved (xeric) group, with narrow, trichome-covered leaves.

Tillandsia celata is a small epiphytic bromeliad native to Brazil. It belongs to the green-leaved (mesic) group and typically grows in humid forest environments. The leaves are soft and green, arranged in a rosette.

Tillandsia cereicola is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad native to South America. As the name suggests, it is commonly found growing on columnar cacti (Cereus and related genera). It has silver-scaled, narrow leaves typical of xeric species.

Tillandsia cernua is a small epiphytic bromeliad native to Mexico and Central America. It has narrow, recurved leaves covered with silver trichomes and produces a simple inflorescence with small tubular flowers. The species name 'cernua' refers to the nodding or drooping habit of the inflorescence.

Tillandsia cerosa is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad native to South America. It has narrow, silvery leaves forming a compact rosette. The inflorescence produces distichous (two-ranked) floral bracts with tubular flowers.

Tillandsia cerrateana is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Peru. It belongs to the xeric group and is characterized by its dense trichome coverage giving the leaves a silvery appearance. The species was described from specific localities in Peru.

Tillandsia chacomasensis is an epiphytic bromeliad native to the Chaco region of South America. It features silvery, narrow leaves adapted to the hot and seasonally dry climate of the Gran Chaco.

Tillandsia chaetophylla is an epiphytic bromeliad native to South America. It is characterized by very slender, thread-like (chaetophyllous) leaves densely covered with trichomes. It typically forms clumps on trees and shrubs.

Tillandsia chalcatzingensis is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Mexico, specifically described from the Chalcatzingo area of Morelos state. It is adapted to seasonally dry conditions and features silvery trichome-covered leaves.

Tillandsia champaraensis is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Peru, described from the Champará area. It has characteristics typical of Andean xeric tillandsias, with silvery leaves and adaptations to dry montane environments.

Tillandsia chapalillaensis is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Mexico, described from the Chapalilla area of Nayarit state. It has narrow, trichome-covered leaves adapted to seasonally dry tropical forests.

Tillandsia chapeuensis is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Brazil. It belongs to the xeric silver-leaved group, characterized by a dense covering of trichomes (specialized scales) that give the leaves a silvery-gray appearance. It is associated with the cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and related open, seasonally dry vegetation.

Tillandsia chartacea is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Ecuador and Peru. Its name derives from the papery texture ('chartacea' means paper-like) of its floral bracts. It has green to grayish leaves and produces a distinctive flattened inflorescence.

A saxicolous species described in 2023 by H. Hrom. and L. Hrom., endemic to Chiapas, Mexico. It grows on rock formations on the slope of a low forested mountain. The species name is derived from the town of Chicoasen in the municipality of the same name, north of the Rio Grijalva.

A saxicolous species with very thick leaves covered with dense silver trichomes and extremely heavy, wire-like roots for anchoring to rocks. It resembles T. lorentziana but is distinguished by green floral bracts and larger white flowers. The floral bracts are erect, lance-like, acuminate, approximately 2.5 cm long and 6 mm wide, green with scattered white lepidote scales. Petals are white, approximately 4 cm long.

A recently described species from the high-elevation forests of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, near Bogota. Named after Chingaza National Park where it was discovered. The species is notable for its floral parts densely covered with a resin-like substance and exceptionally long fruits. Although it has distichous flowers and petal appendages, morphological affinities place it in Tillandsia subgenus Allardtia rather than Vriesea.

An epiphytic species with narrow, reddish-green leaves forming a rosette approximately 30 cm in diameter. The inflorescence reaches about 30 cm and displays crimson bracts. Flowers are small and white, blooming from March to May. The species grows in wet tropical forests at approximately 400 m elevation.

An epiphytic perennial species in the family Bromeliaceae, growing to approximately 20 cm. It has a distinctive grey-toned appearance. Also known under the synonym Vriesea chontalensis. The species grows primarily in wet tropical environments as an epiphyte on trees.

Tillandsia chusgonensis is native to Peru, where it grows on rock cliffs. Named after the Río Chusgón valley, it bears leaves densely covered with long trichomes giving a silvery-white appearance, similar to T. tectorum.

Tillandsia circinnatioides is an epiphyte endemic to south-central Mexico (Puebla, México, Guerrero, Oaxaca), growing on cacti, trees, and shrubs in dry areas at 600–1500 m.

Tillandsia clavigera occurs in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. In central Peru it grows as a rupicolous plant on steep rocks at about 2400 m.

A small saxicolous species with a distinctive spike, discovered in 2005 and formally described in 2008. Related to T. durangensis but distinguished by long dark brown leaf sheaths, leaf blades only 2 cm wide above the sheath, a much shorter inflorescence stem of 10 to 15 cm, and shorter but wider spikes measuring 6 to 12 cm long and up to 2.5 cm wide.

An epiphytic species endemic to Bolivia, described by E. Gross and Rauh. It forms large clumps with rooting stems 3 to 6 cm long spreading abundantly from the base. Single rosettes grow to 17 cm high with approximately 10 leaves forming an 8 cm high, 10 cm diameter rosette. The leaf sheath is indistinct, approximately 2 cm high and 1.5 cm wide, pale violet in color, glabrous on the upper surface and densely lepidote beneath. Flowers have bluish violet petals with white at the base.

A saxicolous, pulvinate species, often branched, with stout brown roots. Flowering height is 10 to 15 cm, with a caulescent stem longer than the rosette, up to 13 cm long. The rosette is up to 7 cm in diameter with 12 to 14 polystichous leaves, 3 to 7 cm long. Leaves are coriaceous to sub-succulent with an asymmetric keel, green-grey, covered with appressed cinereous scales. Named after Australian bromeliad enthusiast Len Colgan. Related to T. friesii and T. hegeri but distinguished by stem length, inflorescence structure, and violet petals.

Tillandsia colorata is an epiphyte native to Argentina (Salta), occurring in the subtropical biome.

Tillandsia comarapaensis is endemic to Bolivia (Dpto. Santa Cruz), described from near Comarapa. It grows in dry thorn scrub at about 1700–1850 m elevation.

An epiphytic species with rigid, leathery leaves of pale greenish color. The inflorescence is more robust than related species, with flowers larger than the rachis and broadly suborbicular floral bracts. Distinguished from T. makoyana by its green rather than grey coloration, shorter but wider leaves, and white flowers with a slightly open throat rather than violet flowers with a closed throat. Formally described by R. Ehlers in 2006.

An epiphytic bromeliad that grows a rosette of broad, straplike leaves often intensely mottled with red. It produces a large, pendulous red inflorescence. The plant has a dense rosette structure with silvery-green leaves covered in tiny scales that assist moisture absorption. Widespread but not common in cloud forests along the Andes.

A natural hybrid between T. complanata and T. ionochroma, described by Werner Rauh in 1977. The leaves are green with violet spots. The plant produces several axillary arching inflorescences similar to T. complanata, but with bipinnate and narrow cylindric spikes. Found growing at 2800 m in cloud forest environments.

An acaulescent epiphytic species, 12 to 25 cm tall, with a spreading rosette of many pale green leaves, often streaked or spotted with purple-red. It produces multiple inflorescences from the leaf axils. Petals are ligulate, approximately 2 cm long, and rose, purple, or blue in color. The capsule is slenderly cylindric and acute, 4 cm long.

Tillandsia compressa ranges from Mexico through Central America to Colombia and the Caribbean. It is a perennial or epiphyte of the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Tillandsia comulcoensis is a saxicolous species endemic to Puebla, Mexico, growing on rocks near the Río Comulco at around 2000 m elevation.

Tillandsia concolor is an epiphyte native from southern Mexico to El Salvador, occurring in the seasonally dry tropical biome at elevations of about 500–1200 m.

A medium-sized mesic species approximately 25 cm tall, found in montane forests. The gray-green leaves sometimes tint reddish in strong light. The inflorescence is branched with bright red-orange scape bracts and reddish floral bracts coated with a waxy powder, bearing purple flowers. Described by Andre in 1888.

Tillandsia copalaensis is an epiphyte endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico, occurring in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Tillandsia copanensis is an epiphyte endemic to Honduras, restricted to river canyons in the northwest near the Guatemalan border, where it grows high on vertical limestone cliffs.

Tillandsia copynii is an epiphyte native to Brazil (Minas Gerais), occurring in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Tillandsia cossonii is recorded from high-elevation localities in Mexico, including Guerrero (Puerto del Gallo, ~2700 m) and Colima (Nevado de Colima, ~2500 m).

A species endemic to Bolivia, belonging to subgenus Diaphoranthema. It was described in 1984, with the type specimen collected in 1979 from the mountains near Cotagaita in the Potosi Department. Grows epiphytically on Oreocereus neocelsianus cacti in association with T. caliginosa.

An epiphytic species endemic to Mexico, characterized by a clumping habit and larger leaf stems with white or grey lepidote trichomes. The species name refers to its chalky, cretaceous appearance.

Tillandsia crista-galli is an epiphyte endemic to Chiapas, Mexico, near the Guatemalan border. The type was collected between Motozintla and Tapachula at about 1800 m in the wet tropical biome.

A small epiphytic species, scarcely over 20 cm tall, described by Baker in 1888. The type specimen was collected from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Tillandsia cryptopoda is an epiphyte found in Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, growing in forest at 1500–2350 m elevation.

A species endemic to Ecuador, found in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. The species is threatened by habitat loss.

Tillandsia curvifolia is endemic to Guanajuato, Mexico, growing at 2200–2400 m in oak forest on rocky outcrops and hillsides. Originally described as T. tortilis subsp. curvifolia; some authors place it in the segregate genus Viridantha.