Species

Tillandsia afonsoana is a bromeliad in the genus Tillandsia, native to Brazil. It is an epiphytic species characterized by its silvery-gray trichome-covered leaves, which form a rosette. The leaves are narrow, stiff, and recurved, typical of xeric Tillandsia species adapted to drier conditions.

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.

A small lithophytic, clustering species growing to about 5 cm despite its name being derived from a geographical reference rather than the country Argentina. It is native to Bolivia, where grapefruit-sized clusters grow on rocky cliffs. The leaves are short, stiff, and rather succulent, covered with dark gray trichomes. The inflorescence is simple, broadly lanceolate, strongly flattened, up to 45 mm long and 15 mm wide, bearing 4 to 7 flowers. Petals are widely flaring, pink, approximately 13 mm across.

A distinct species with elongated stems and silvery-gray leaves, often found growing in dry, rocky environments.

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 baguagrandensis is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Peru. It is a small to medium-sized epiphytic tillandsia with silvery-gray leaves covered in trichomes, characteristic of xeric-type species. The leaves are narrow and arranged in a rosette form. It produces inflorescences with bracts and flowers typical of the genus.

Tillandsia barbeyana is an epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Cuba and the southern tip of Florida. It forms a medium-sized rosette of stiff, linear leaves densely covered in silvery trichomes, giving the foliage a gray appearance. The inflorescence bears tubular flowers with violet to purple petals. The dense trichome coverage classifies this species as a xeric type.

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 bergiana is a terrestrial or saxicolous bromeliad native to Argentina. It forms dense clumps of narrow, channeled leaves densely covered in silvery-gray trichomes, classifying it as a xeric species. The leaves are stiff and linear, reaching up to approximately 30 cm in length. It produces an erect, simple or occasionally branched spike bearing bright red bracts and violet to purple tubular flowers.

Native to the dry Chaco region of Paraguay. This xeric species has stiff, trichome-covered leaves adapted to arid environments.

A saxicolous or epiphytic species from Baja California, Mexico. It has stiff, gray leaves densely covered in trichomes, making it very hardy.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 caulescent, xeric species from Peru and Ecuador. It has soft, silvery-gray leaves and produces fragrant white flowers with purple edges. Often grows in large clumps.

One of the largest Tillandsia species. Forms a sculptural rosette up to 90 cm in diameter with wide, silvery-green leaves that curl around themselves. Native to semi-arid regions of Central America, growing high in tree canopies. A slow-growing xerophyte adapted to drought, with thick leaves that store water. Wild populations were severely reduced due to over-collection in the 1980s-90s until CITES Appendix II protection in 1992. Produces branched inflorescences with red bracts and purple flowers lasting months.