AIR PLANTS (TILLANDSIAS)
Tillandsia filifolia
186
A tropical jewel from Central America, has needle-fine 3 inch green leaves on a base the size of a jaw breaker. Delicate lilac flowers are borne on a branched purple inflorescence. Tillandsia filifolia is found throughout Mexico and Central America. In Belize it has a limited range, being restricted to the pine forests of the Maya Mountains where it enjoys the breezy, cool conditions. Found at altitudes over 500 feet, it, however does well at sea level and is now a staple item in the bromeliad trade, being propagated in large quantities. Til. filifolia resembles a little sea urchin with a marble-sized base and stiff, hair-fine leaves to three inches long. The inflorescence is purple, up to six inches tall and branched. Enjoys bright shade and humid conditions.
Tillandsia straminea 'Apurimac'
795
A caulescent Peruvian plant that is quite different from other forms of this species. A stem that can reach several feet long, is covered with, 3 inch silvery leaves. A simple 12 inch or larger spike bears large deep purple flowers. An attractive plant that grows fast and produces numerous offsets from the base of the old bloom spike. This form doesn’t make roots.
Tillandsia jonesii
6921
A smallish species of Tillandsia that grows on a long stem. The narrow, stiff leaves are 2 to 3 inches long spaced along the stem and taper to a point. The overall color is dark purplish with a silvery tint. The inflorescence is a 2 inch scape with bright pink bracts and flaring blue flowers. Clumps are easily formed and once a clump forms, the plants can be suspended from a string for cultivation.
Native to Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil, it has a strong resemblance to T. aeranthos though it must be significantly different enough to deserve species status. Our plants came originally from the collection of Elton Leme.