Species

Aechmea aculeatosepala is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped leaves with spiny margins and produces an inflorescence with bracts and flowers typical of the genus Aechmea.

Rare species endemic to Jamaica. Features gray-green leaves and a simple or few-branched inflorescence.

Distinctive caulescent species with stiff, polystichous leaves. The long inflorescence features flowers pressed flat against the rachis.

An epiphytic species native to southern South America, characterized by reliable blooming and ease of cultivation. Forms dense cushions up to 30 cm tall with stiff, silver-green leaves arranged in a cone-like rosette. Produces inflorescences with rosy-pink bracts and blue-violet flowers that attract hummingbirds. One of the hardiest Tillandsias, tolerating temperatures near freezing. Similar in appearance to T. bergeri but distinguished by its flowering characteristics and offset production pattern.

Aechmea aguadocensis is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to South America. It is an epiphytic or terrestrial plant forming a rosette of strap-shaped leaves with spiny margins. The inflorescence bears small flowers typical of the genus Aechmea.

Aechmea aiuruocensis is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped leaves with serrated margins, typical of the genus Aechmea. The species produces an inflorescence with brightly colored bracts and small flowers, characteristic of tank-forming bromeliads that collect water and organic matter in their central cup.

Aechmea alba is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped, green leaves with spiny margins. The inflorescence is erect, bearing white to pale-colored flowers typical of the genus. Like other members of Aechmea, it is an epiphytic or terrestrial plant adapted to humid tropical environments.

Critically endangered species endemic to Alcatrazes Island. Large rosette with green leaves.

Aechmea alopecurus is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae. It produces a dense, elongated spike inflorescence resembling a foxtail, from which its epithet is derived (alopecurus meaning fox-tail in Greek). The rosette is composed of strap-like, serrated leaves that form a central water reservoir. Flowers are typically pink to red with yellow or white petals.

Aechmea amicorum is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae. It is a rosette-forming epiphytic or terrestrial plant with strap-shaped, often spiny-margined leaves that form a central water-holding tank. The inflorescence bears colorful bracts and small flowers typical of the genus Aechmea.

Aechmea ampla is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to South America. It produces broad, strap-shaped leaves with serrated margins that form a rosette capable of holding water in its central tank. The inflorescence is compound, bearing bracts and small flowers typical of the genus.

Aechmea anomala is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped, spiny-margined leaves and produces an inflorescence with small flowers. The leaves are typically green and may develop reddish tones under high light conditions.

Aechmea apocalyptica is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped, green leaves with serrated margins and a prominent central tank that collects water. The inflorescence produces pink to red bracts with small violet or blue flowers. It is an epiphytic or terrestrial plant found in humid Atlantic Forest environments.

Aechmea aquilega is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to northern South America and the Caribbean. It forms a rosette of stiff, strap-shaped leaves with serrated margins and spines along the edges. The inflorescence is a compound spike bearing small flowers, typically followed by colorful berries that persist on the plant for an extended period. This species is often epiphytic in its natural habitat but can also grow terrestrially.

Aechmea araneosa is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped, green leaves with serrated margins. The inflorescence bears small flowers typical of the genus, often with colorful bracts. It is an epiphytic or terrestrial species found in humid Atlantic Forest environments.

A caulescent species with stiff, succulent, recurved leaves growing along a sturdy stem. It often grows on rocks near the ocean, tolerating salty air.

A striking lithophyte with rigid, silvery-white leaves forming a large, symmetric rosette. Known for its beautiful white flowers.

Often confused with T. fuchsii, the true T. argentea has a branching inflorescence, clear leaf sheaths, and produces bright red flowers. Forms a small, grassy tuft.

Aechmea atrovittata is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped, green leaves with dark cross-banding and serrated margins. The inflorescence bears small flowers on a branched spike, typically with colorful bracts. It is an epiphytic or terrestrial species found in tropical and subtropical forests.

Aechmea azurea is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Brazil. It is an epiphytic or terrestrial plant with a rosette of strap-shaped, spiny-margined leaves. The inflorescence bears blue flowers, which give the species its name derived from the Latin 'azureus' (sky-blue). The plant produces colorful bracts that persist after flowering.

A miniature species with stiff, gray, distichous leaves growing in a fan shape. It produces fragrant blue to violet flowers and forms spherical clumps.

Native to southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). A small, grey-leaved epiphyte often found growing in clumps. It has a simple inflorescence with pale blue to violet flowers.

Native to the dry coastal regions of Ecuador. It forms a rosette of gray-green leaves and produces a striking inflorescence with pinkish bracts and dark petals.

A distinctive species from central Paraguay with dull, light grey leaves covered in trichomes. Related to T. lorentziana but distinguished by two-colored floral bracts (dark green at base, reddish toward apex) and white flowers. Endemic to the mountainous regions of Paraguay.

Tillandsia bergeri is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad native to Argentina. It produces narrow, silvery-green leaves arranged in a rosette and bears tubular blue to violet flowers. It is known for producing numerous offsets, forming dense clusters over time.

Aechmea blanchetiana is a bromeliad native to Brazil, forming large rosettes of strap-shaped leaves that range in color from orange to red depending on light exposure. The inflorescence bears a branched spike with small yellow flowers and persistent red bracts. It is one of the larger species in the genus, with rosettes reaching up to 1.5 meters in diameter.

Aechmea blumenavii is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to southern Brazil. It forms a rosette of strap-shaped, serrated leaves and produces an inflorescence with colorful bracts and small flowers. The leaves are typically green with spiny margins.

Endemic to Puerto Rico. It grows in moist limestone forests and has soft, green leaves, indicating a preference for humid conditions.

Native to Paraguay. It features a rosette of stiff, recurved, silver-gray leaves and produces a simple or digitate inflorescence.

A Tillandsia characterized by a bulbous pseudobulb base and long, twisted, tentacle-like leaves. Native to tropical regions from Mexico to Brazil, found in mangrove thickets, open woods, and along riverbanks. The swollen base often houses ant colonies in a mutualistic relationship—the ants provide nutrients while receiving shelter. Blooms with cherry-red bracts and violet tubular flowers. One of the few Tillandsias tolerant of higher humidity and lower airflow, making it suitable for terrariums.

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

A caulescent bromeliad species distinguished by its stem-forming growth habit. Originally described as Cryptanthus caulescens, it was transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017 based on molecular and morphological analyses. The species is characterized by its distinctive stem development, which sets it apart from acaulescent relatives in the Cryptanthoid complex. Endemic to the Atlantic Forest region of eastern Brazil.

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 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 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.

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.

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 terrestrial bromeliad originally described as Cryptanthus fernseeoides. The specific epithet refers to its resemblance to species of the genus Fernseea. Transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017 based on phylogenetic revisions of the Cryptanthoid complex. Forms rosettes of leaves and occurs in the humid Atlantic Forest understory. Endemic to eastern Brazil.

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.

Known as the Twisted Air Plant, it has thick, stiff leaves that spiral around the stem. It is unique for its viviparous reproduction, producing offsets on the inflorescence.

A terrestrial bromeliad characterized by its broad leaves, as indicated by the specific epithet latifolia (Latin for "broad-leaved"). Originally described as Cryptanthus latifolius and transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017. Forms rosettes in the shaded understory of the Atlantic Forest. The wider leaves distinguish this species from narrow-leaved congeners. Endemic to eastern Brazil.

A terrestrial bromeliad originally described as Cryptanthus leuzingerae. The specific epithet honors a person named Leuzinger. Transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017 based on molecular phylogenetic studies of the Cryptanthoid complex. Forms compact rosettes in the understory of the Atlantic Forest. Endemic to eastern Brazil and found in humid forest environments.

A terrestrial bromeliad notable for its highly fragrant flowers, as indicated by the specific epithet odoratissima (Latin superlative meaning "most fragrant"). Originally described as Cryptanthus odoratissimus and transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017. Members of the former Cryptanthus subgenus Hoplocryptanthus, to which this species shows affinity, are characterized by perfumed flowers. Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil.

A terrestrial bromeliad originally described as Cryptanthus pseudoglaziovii in 1991. The specific epithet indicates its resemblance to Cryptanthus glaziovii while being a distinct species. Transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017 based on phylogenetic analyses. Forms rosettes in the humid understory of the Atlantic Forest. Endemic to Espírito Santo state in southeastern Brazil.

A terrestrial bromeliad characterized by an elongated flowering scape, though less prominent than in Rokautskyia scaposa. Originally described as Cryptanthus pseudoscaposus by L.B. Smith and transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017. The specific epithet means "false scapose," indicating a resemblance to scapose species while having distinct characteristics. Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil.

A saxicolous or epiphytic species endemic to Peru. It forms a rosette of grayish-green leaves covered in trichomes. The inflorescence is typically simple or digitately compound with rose-colored floral bracts.

A widely distributed, hardy species. It usually forms clumps of stiff, thin, gray leaves. Distinguished by its yellow flower petals and red floral bracts.

A widely distributed species in South America. The leaves are covered in trichomes and often recurve or curl. It produces fragrant blue or purple flowers.

Native to Mexico and Central America, this species features a prominent bulbous base and broad, trichome-covered leaves. The leaves curl tightly when dry, acting as a drought indicator. It is a robust grower that can reach over 30 cm in diameter.

A highly adaptable and popular air plant with narrow triangular leaves forming thick rosettes. Produces bright red or rose bloom spikes with blue-purple flowers. One of the most widely cultivated Tillandsia species.

Known as Spanish moss, with the widest distribution of any bromeliad, ranging from the southeastern United States to Argentina. Forms long, hanging festoons of slender, grayish-green stems up to 6 meters or more, draping from tree branches. Despite its common name, it is neither Spanish nor a moss, but a true flowering bromeliad. An epiphyte that absorbs all moisture and nutrients through its silvery trichome-covered leaves. Provides habitat for wildlife including birds, bats, and specialized spiders. Historically used for mattress stuffing, insulation, and crafts.

A terrestrial bromeliad originally described as Cryptanthus whitmanii by Elton Leme in 1994. The specific epithet honors a person named Whitman. Transferred to Rokautskyia in 2017 based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Cryptanthoid complex. Forms rosettes in the understory of the Atlantic Forest. Endemic to Espírito Santo state in southeastern Brazil.