Species

A large, variable, tank-forming species lacking discernible stems. Leaves are arranged in a rosette, leathery, grey-green with a waxy coating, 30 to 80 cm in length, forming basal cups that hold water and detritus. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikes shorter than the leaves, with bright red bracts and violet to white flowers. A highly variable species with multiple recognized varieties. In the southeastern United States (Florida), populations are threatened by the invasive Mexican bromeliad weevil (Metamasius callizona).

A medium-sized stemless species forming a dense, rounded rosette of numerous fine, thread-like leaves approximately 7 cm in length. The species name means "thread-leaved." Leaf sheaths are grape-violet to chestnut-colored with small, dispersed trichomes. The inflorescence is bipinnate with many slender spikes bearing small flowers with violet petals. Grows as an epiphyte in seasonally dry tropical forests.

Occurs in Cundinamarca and Valle in Colombia and in Loja in Ecuador, growing as an epiphyte in forest and on paramo between 1800 and 3300 m.

Distinctive caulescent (stem-forming) air plant with needle-like leaves resembling small pine branches. Produces spectacular scarlet-red tubular flowers. Forms long, draping clumps over time. Named after Belgian botanist Nicolas Funck.