Species in Tillandsia

An epiphytic species endemic to Ecuador, described by Harry Luther in 1991 and named after Jerry Raack, a prominent U.S. bromeliad collector who discovered it in 1990. The plant has an open rosette shape with soft green leaves that are discolorous, purplish on the underside, often with a waxy powder on the surface. Under high light intensity and cool temperatures, the upper leaf surface develops a deep maroon coloration. The inflorescence is nearly white, contrasting sharply against the dark wine-red foliage at bloom time. The flowers do not open and are likely pollinated by hummingbirds.

A species known from Tolima in Colombia, growing on cliffs at about 900 m.

Known from the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, growing in mountainous terrain at 1800 m. The type specimen was collected on Morro do Cuca in the Vale das Videiras near Petropolis.

A small epiphytic species from the highlands of Bolivia and Argentina. Forms compact rosettes with silvery-grey leaves covered in trichomes. Grows on perpendicular rocks and thorn shrub vegetation.

This species is widely distributed from the United States to Argentina, growing epiphytically and sometimes terrestrially in dry habitats at elevations from sea level to 3000 m. The type specimen was collected in Jamaica.

This species occurs in the Cajamarca region of Peru, growing exclusively on rocky substrates in higher-elevation areas at 1,900-2,800 m.

A species distributed in Bolivia and Argentina, growing as an epiphyte in woodland at elevations of 200 to 2,000 m.

Native to Azuay in Ecuador, where it grows solitarily as an epiphyte or terrestrially in bush vegetation at elevations of 2,000 to 3,010 m. The specific epithet honours Renate Gouda-Verwer.

A species distributed from northwestern to central Argentina.

Native to Oaxaca in Mexico, this species grows terrestrially at around 1,500 m elevation. The specific epithet is derived from the rose-colored, capitate inflorescence.

A species from Colima, Mexico, recorded at an elevation of around 400 m.

Known from Magdalena in Colombia at around 2800 m. The type specimen was collected on a tree at Sabana Rubia in the Serrania de Perija.

Known from the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia, growing at about 450 m on vertical rock walls. It was found in large groups on the southern side of a rock face in the Serrania de Santiago, an isolated range of Palaeozoic sedimentary rock rising above the surrounding lowland.

This species is distributed in the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca.

A large, impressive species forming rosettes of long, broad, attenuate leaves that are slightly recurving. The leaf surfaces are distinctive: the upper side is nerved and minutely appressed-lepidote, while the lower surface is nearly glabrous. Unlike the related T. xerographica, the leaves typically do not twist. The compound inflorescence features inflated spikes with brilliant coloration including cherry red, moss green, and buttercup yellow. The scape bracts, primary bracts, and some leaves develop a striking dark cherry color during flowering.

Ranges from Chiapas in Mexico through Guatemala to Honduras, at elevations of 1,400 to 2,500 m.

Known from Azuay in southern Ecuador, growing as an epiphyte at around 2,700 m elevation. The type material was collected about 20 km west of Cuenca.