Species

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.

A medium-sized pseudobulbous species described by Rose ex Small. The plant reaches 25 to 35 cm in height and forms a swollen, hollow base from which few long, flexible, silvery-grey leaves extend and recurve. The leaf surfaces are densely covered with trichomes. The inflorescence is simple, bearing pink floral bracts and tubular mauve to purple flowers approximately 3 cm in length. The species is myrmecophytic; in its natural habitat, the hollow pseudobulb frequently harbors ant colonies. It produces offsets freely from the base and readily forms clumps. The species grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome as an epiphyte, with preferred host trees including Quercus virginiana and Ebenopsis ebano.

A saxicolous species from the Amazonas region of Peru. It is caulescent (stem-forming) with densely lepidote, silver-gray leaves and produces violet flowers.

A widely distributed pseudobulbous species described by Schultes & Schultes f. in 1830, with the common name northern needleleaf. The plant forms clumps of 2 to 10 pseudobulbs, reaching up to approximately 60 cm in height when in bloom. The leaves are strongly recurved, covered with dense appressed lepidote trichomes, with an acuminate apex, reaching up to 40 cm in length. The inflated leaf bases form a bulging rosette approximately 14 cm long. The inflorescence is a spike up to approximately 18 cm long, with reddish-yellow bracts subtending purple flowers. The sepals are green and unfused, petals are purple, and the 6 stamens are exserted beyond the petals. The fruit is a capsule with tufted seeds for wind dispersal. The species grows in the seasonally dry tropical biome, primarily as an epiphyte on shrubs and trees in dry broadleaf evergreen formations.

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.

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.

Occurs in the state of Espirito Santo in Brazil, growing rupicolous between 300 and 500 m on sun-exposed granite surfaces of inselbergs or in spots slightly shaded by semideciduous forest. The epithet refers to the unusual stigma, whose long fringed lobes are densely covered with white trichomes.

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.

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.

A species described from French Guiana. It is a nominal hemiepiphyte with a distinct juvenile phase where the leaves are appressed to the host tree (shingle plant). Adult leaves are entire or perforated but rarely pinnatifid. It is named to honor the botanist who collected the type specimen.

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.

An epiphytic species described by Rauh in 1974, placed in subgenus Tillandsia (= Platystachys). The rosette reaches approximately 40 cm in height with a moderately bulbous base about 10 cm in diameter. The leaf sheaths are roundish-oval, densely covered with dark brown appressed trichomes. The leaf blades are narrowly triangular, up to 30 cm long and 2 cm wide near the sheath, involute, with dense grey appressed trichomes beneath and sparse trichomes above. The scape is 5 to 15 cm long, shorter than the rosette, erect but curving downward at the apex. The inflorescence is pendulous, up to 40 cm long, bipinnate, with narrow spikes bearing bicolored floral bracts in orange-yellow and green. The flowers are yellow. The species grows primarily in the wet tropical biome of Ecuador.

Distributed from the southeastern USA to Mexico. A grassy species with thin, filiform leaves that grows in clumps. It prefers humid habitats like swamps and hammocks.

Aechmea bauxilumii is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae. It produces a rosette of strap-shaped, spiny-margined leaves and bears an inflorescence with colorful bracts and small flowers typical of the genus Aechmea.

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 belloensis is a small to medium-sized epiphytic bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, endemic to Guatemala. It forms a compact rosette of narrow, silvery-gray leaves densely covered in trichomes. The inflorescence bears pink to red bracts with violet to purple tubular flowers.

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.

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.

Tillandsia bermejoensis is a saxicolous bromeliad endemic to Bolivia. It forms compact rosettes of narrow, stiff leaves densely covered with trichomes, giving the plant a silvery-grey coloration typical of xeric Tillandsia species. The inflorescence bears pink to red bracts with violet flowers.

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 the Pastaza and Napo regions of Ecuador, occurring at elevations of 600 to 1,300 m.

A green-leaved mesic species from the wettest tropical habitats. Forms rosettes of silver-green leaves and produces violet flowers. Requires higher humidity than many common Tillandsia species. Best grown in greenhouse or terrarium conditions.

An epiphytic fern with two distinct frond types: sterile shield fronds that attach to the substrate and collect debris, and fertile fronds that are forked and antler-shaped, growing up to 90cm long. Forms colonies through vegetative reproduction. Produces spores on the undersides of fertile fronds.

A species with broad, soft, light green leaves, native to Peru. It prefers shady and humid environments unlike typical xeric Tillandsia.

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 Panama, specifically the Bocas del Toro region. This species typically has entire, oblong-lanceolate leaves and does not usually develop fenestrations. It is a smaller climber compared to the giant Monstera species and is found in wet forest habitats.

A small saxicolous or epiphytic species from Mexico. It has succulent, tapering leaves and forms clumps.

A rare epiphytic species native to the high Andes of Ecuador. Information in cultivation is limited.

A high-elevation species found in the Andean foothills of Bolivia and Peru. It is a vigorous climber with large, leathery leaves that are typically entire or sparsely fenestrated. It is often found growing in cloud forests, making it more tolerant of cooler temperatures than lowland Amazonian species.

Tillandsia boliviana is a bromeliad species in the family Bromeliaceae, native to Bolivia and surrounding Andean regions. It forms rosettes of narrow, silvery-green leaves covered in trichomes, which aid in water and nutrient absorption. It produces a spike inflorescence with tubular flowers.

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

A striking species from Peru, known for its large size and pink floral bracts. It grows on rock faces or trees.

A species native to Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, described as new to science in 2013. It is morphologically most similar to Tillandsia didisticha.

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

A species native to the states of Durango and Sinaloa in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico, growing epiphytically in pine-oak forests. Described in 2007. Related species include Tillandsia carloshankii, Tillandsia prodigiosa, and Tillandsia macrochlamys.

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

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

Native to Veracruz, Mexico. It forms a tank-type rosette with green leaves that can turn reddish in strong light.

A large, impressive species from the mountains of Mexico. It features a large rosette of silver-gray leaves and a tall, branched inflorescence.

A Tillandsia native to dry woods and forests from Mexico to Venezuela. Forms a spreading rosette of long, attenuate leaves covered with finely appressed scales. Characterized by its color transformation—the entire plant changes from silvery-green to rosy pink, intensifying to cherry red during flowering. The species name means "short stem" in Greek, referring to its compact inflorescence. Often found growing alongside T. ionantha and T. xerographica in its native habitat.

A rare lithophytic species endemic to Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil. The plant has a distinctive form with short, soft, densely lepidote leaves that are dramatically rounded at the tip. It is related to T. gardneri, T. geminiflora, T. kautskyi, and T. sprengeliana. The inflorescence is short and compound with pinkish-red bracts and magenta flowers. In its natural habitat, it grows on nearly vertical rock walls at high elevations, which protects it from collectors.

Native to Loreto in Peru, where it grows as an epiphyte in rainforest. The type collection was made at the mouth of the Rio Santiago.

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

Native to Ecuador, this species is found in moist forests. It has soft leaves that are often spotted or banded with purple.

The smallest species in the genus with a flattened, tuberous caudex 2-8cm tall and up to 40cm in diameter, resembling a rock or cluster of potatoes. Virtually branchless with sparse leaves in rosettes. Produces bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. Strictly adapted to acidic substrates with pH 3.5-4.5.

Often classified as Racinaea brevilingua. A small species from the Andes with soft, green leaves, adapted to cool, cloud forest environments.

A small epiphytic species native to Colombia and Ecuador. Often classified under the genus Racinaea, it has soft, green leaves and prefers cool, moist environments.

Endemic to the high Andes of Colombia. This species resembles Tillandsia turneri but is smaller, growing in sub-paramo vegetation.

Native to the state of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil, growing terrestrially.

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.

A rare lithophytic species from Bahia, Brazil, named after renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx who collected the type specimen. Forms clumps with stems up to 30 cm long that hang down with tips curving upward. Leaves are numerous, spirally arranged, very thick and succulent, nearly terete (cylindrical), only 2-4 cm long. Densely covered in gray trichomes. Produces simple inflorescences with 3-5 flowers having yellow-green bracts and white petals. Supremely adapted to harsh exposed rock cliff faces.

Native to Espirito Santo in Brazil, where it grows saxicolously in sunny positions. The type specimen was collected near Conceicao do Castelo, about 40 km from Venda Nova, by Roberto Burle-Marx, for whom the species is named.

A tank-type epiphyte native to the northern Andes, often reclassified as Racinaea buseri. It has broad, green leaves and inhabits cloud forests.

A hemiepiphytic climber native to Costa Rica and Panama. The leaf blades are pinnatifid (deeply lobed) and typically lack fenestrations (holes), characterized by a subcoriaceous texture and deeply sunken primary lateral veins, giving the leaf a somewhat quilted or bullate appearance.

A small to medium-sized pseudobulbous green-leaved (mesic) species described by Mez in 1935. The leaves are few, soft, long, and sinuous, emerging from a conspicuously swollen pseudobulbous base. The leaf blades are thin, hard, and involute in the upper portion, characteristically mottled with dark brown or reddish-brown irregular markings on a green background. The inflorescence is a slender spike borne on a thin, erect scape, with bright red bracts and tubular blue-violet to purple flowers. The species is myrmecophytic; in its natural habitat, symbiotic ants nest within the broadened leaf bases of the pseudobulb. It grows as an epiphyte, often forming large colonies in humid montane forests from central Mexico to Panama. A variety with pinkish flowers, var. roseiflora, has been described.