Species

Tillandsia aequatorialis is a medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae. It produces rosettes of narrow, silvery-grey leaves covered with trichomes, and bears inflorescences with tubular flowers. The species is adapted to seasonally dry environments at moderate to high elevations.

Tillandsia aguascalientensis is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae. It is a xeric type with silvery-gray leaves densely covered in trichomes, forming a compact rosette. The leaves are narrow and slightly recurved. It produces an inflorescence with pink to violet bracts and violet flowers.

One of the smallest known Tillandsia species, belonging to subgenus Diaphoranthema. Leaves are subsucculent, grey-blue, reaching a maximum of approximately 2 cm in length. Plants form small tufts of a few centimeters in diameter. Self-pollinating species that produces small brown flowers in spring. Native to dry, sunny habitats in the southern Andes.

Caulescent, branched, polycarpic species forming caespitose colonies. Plants reach 35 to 80 cm in height at flowering. Leaves are densely polystichous, narrowly triangular, long-attenuate, and densely covered with pale cinereous trichomes. The inflorescence is terminal with bright red scape bracts. Flowers are greenish-white with pale green sepals. Endemic to a limited number of canyons in northeastern Mexico within the Sierra Madre Oriental.

Tillandsia alvareziae is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae. It produces a rosette of silvery-green leaves densely covered with trichomes, characteristic of xeric-type Tillandsia. The inflorescence bears pink to red bracts with violet flowers.

Tillandsia andreettae is a small epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the Andes of Ecuador. It forms a rosette of narrow, silvery leaves densely covered with trichomes, a morphology typical of xeric Tillandsia species adapted to periodic drought. The inflorescence is short, bearing pink to red bracts from which tubular violet to purple flowers emerge.

Tillandsia andrieuxii is a xeric epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Mexico. It forms a compact rosette with rigid, silvery-grey leaves densely covered in trichomes that absorb moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere. The species produces an inflorescence bearing small tubular flowers. As a silver-leaved species, it is well adapted to semi-arid environments with high light intensity and low rainfall.

Tillandsia angulosa is an epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Central America and northern South America. It is a small to medium-sized species characterized by stiff, angular leaves densely covered with silvery trichomes, producing a gray-green coloration typical of xeric Tillandsia species. The leaves are arranged in a rosette with a notably angular cross-section, which is reflected in the species epithet 'angulosa' (Latin for 'angular'). It produces a simple or branched inflorescence bearing tubular flowers.

Tillandsia areiensis is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Central America. It forms a rosette of narrow, stiff leaves densely covered with trichomes, giving the foliage a silvery-gray appearance typical of xeric Tillandsia species. The inflorescence produces pink to red bracts with violet to purple flowers.

Tillandsia atroviolacea is an epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Mexico. It is a medium-sized xeric species forming a rosette of stiff, recurved leaves densely covered with silvery trichomes. Under high light conditions, the foliage develops a deep violet to dark purple coloration, which is reflected in the species epithet 'atroviolacea', derived from the Latin 'atro-' (dark) and 'violaceus' (violet). The inflorescence bears tubular flowers typical of the genus.

Tillandsia atroviridipetala is a xeric bromeliad species in the genus Tillandsia, characterized by its dark green petals, which is reflected in its specific epithet meaning 'dark green petals.' It forms a rosette of stiff, silvery-gray leaves covered in trichomes, and produces a spike inflorescence with distinctive dark green to nearly black petals, which is unusual within the genus.

Tillandsia aurea is an epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Ecuador and Peru. It is a medium-sized xeric species with narrow, recurved leaves densely covered in trichomes, giving the foliage a silvery-gray appearance. The leaves form a spreading rosette. The specific epithet 'aurea' derives from the Latin for 'golden,' referring to the yellow flower color.

Tillandsia australis is a lithophytic and epiphytic bromeliad native to southern South America. It produces narrow, linear leaves covered with dense silver-gray trichomes, forming a loose rosette. The leaves are stiff and grass-like in texture. The inflorescence is a simple or branched spike bearing tubular flowers that are violet to purple in color. This species tolerates cold temperatures, including light frost, and is adapted to exposed, high-light environments at varying altitudes.

Tillandsia azuayensis is a bromeliad species in the genus Tillandsia, native to the Azuay Province of Ecuador. It is a small to medium-sized epiphytic species with silvery-grey leaves covered in trichomes, characteristic of xeric-type tillandsias. The leaves are narrow and form a rosette habit. It produces inflorescences with tubular flowers.

Tillandsia baliophylla is an epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Mexico. It is a small to medium-sized xeric species forming a compact rosette of narrow, arching leaves densely covered in silvery trichomes. The trichome layer gives the foliage a silver-gray appearance and functions to reflect intense solar radiation and absorb atmospheric moisture. Inflorescences are simple or branched, bearing tubular flowers typical of the genus.

Tillandsia balsasensis is a xeric bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae. It is a small to medium-sized epiphytic or lithophytic plant characterized by silvery-gray leaves densely covered with trichomes (specialized scales that absorb moisture and nutrients from the air). The leaves are narrow, stiff, and recurved, forming a rosette typical of xeric Tillandsia species. It produces tubular flowers, though detailed floral morphology documentation for this species is limited.

Tillandsia barrosoae is a bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, endemic to northeastern Mexico. It is a xeric species with narrow, recurved leaves densely covered in trichomes, giving the foliage a silvery-gray coloration. The leaves form a compact rosette, and the plant produces an inflorescence bearing tubular flowers.

Tillandsia bella is a small epiphytic bromeliad endemic to Bolivia. It forms a distichous rosette of triangular, silvery-trichome-covered leaves. The inflorescence is a simple or occasionally branched spike bearing pink to red bracts and violet tubular flowers. It is a xeric species adapted to dry inter-Andean environments.

Tillandsia bernalensis is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico. It forms a compact rosette of narrow, silvery-gray leaves densely covered in trichomes. The inflorescence bears tubular flowers typical of the xeric Tillandsia group. It is adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions with a pronounced dry season.

Tillandsia beutelspacheri is a medium to large epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Mexico. The leaves are elongated and silver-green, densely covered with trichomes that reflect light and reduce water loss. The inflorescence is compound and branched, bearing violet to purple flowers. It is classified as a xeric-type Tillandsia, adapted to seasonally dry conditions with well-developed trichomes for atmospheric moisture absorption.

Native to Bolivia, this species is adapted to drier inter-Andean valleys. It features trichome-covered leaves to retain moisture.

A small lithophytic species from Argentina. It grows in clumps on rock walls and has gray, lepidote leaves.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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 pachycaul succulent shrub or small tree with a swollen caudex that stores water. Grows 2-4m tall in habitat. Produces clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers primarily in pink and red shades. Evergreen or drought-deciduous depending on conditions. Contains cardiac glycosides in all parts, making it highly toxic if ingested.

A xerophytic species from Peru, often growing on rocks or sand. It has stiff, gray leaves and can be caulescent. Similar in appearance to Tillandsia latifolia.

A saxicolous species endemic to Mexico. It features curved, gray-lepidote leaves forming a rosette. The inflorescence typically has pinkish bracts.