A handsome medium sized species that grows on a long stem in the manner of some forms of straminea, latifolia and others. In fact, when not in bloom, this species could easily be mistaken for the Mexican species albida. The stem is stiff and erect, to almost 12 inches, bearing 3 inch white leaves at right angles to the stem. The inflorescence sets it apart; a scape to about 6 inches tall with pale green to whitish bracts and starkly pure white flowers. Discovered in 1969 by Braga and Sucre growing on the huge rock monolith called Pedra Paraibuna near the border of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais where this species grows in a massive colony. So taken were they with the large white flowers that they named the plant nuptialis because it reminded them of the white of a wedding gown.  Grows easily in bright, airy conditions.

A Mexican species from Sinaloa state, our plant is a piece of the type plant collected by Harry Luther in 1993 and described in 1997. A clumping 'needle leaved' species that closely resembles the Florida endemic simulata. Tapering leaves are quite succulent and densely lepidote. The inflorescence is about as long as the foliage with up to six branches, silvery lepidote over green and bearing tubular purple flowers. Found in clusters growing on Bombax trees at about 3,500 feet of altitude.

A desert dweller from Peru where it forms dense mats of millions of plants on the dunes. In Peru they form massive 'carpets' on the desert sands. They are silvery little fellows that produce lovely purple flowers which may or may not be (depending whom you ask) fragrant. A small silvery plant that blooms purple. Cultivation is easy, grow mounted or simply hang on a string in a breezy, bright spot. Water infrequently and fertilize modestly.

Tillandsia paleacea v. apurimacensis  A small silvery plant that blooms purple. Cultivation is easy, grow mounted or simply hang on a string in a breezy, bright spot. Water infrequently and fertilize modestly.

This is a giant form of Tillandsia pruinosa from Colombia. It is like the smaller or regular forms except that it is larger and does not color up at anthesis as some forms do. It grows to nearly 12 inches tall with a thick base. It might resemble a slightly more slender Tillandsia seleriana due to its size but is a pruinosa for sure. Up right leaves and a bulbous base, all covered with heavy trichomes. Nice.

Many years ago I acquired my first specimen of this fine Tillandsia from Fred Fuchs, famed orchid collector and explorer, and never dreamed that I would ever see it growing wild. Years later our explorations took us to the arid scrub forests of western Ecuador and northern Peru where this plant was abundant, often in the crowns of towering Bombax trees.

A beautiful species with rather thin, very dark gray, stiff, almost brittle leaves in a symmetrical open rosette that can reach 18 inches across.

The inflorescence, a tall spike with a cluster of short branches, develops slowly, becoming vivid lacquer red and lasting in color for months.

A bulbous plant with a thick base to over an inch, and very stiff, contorted, terete wiry leaves. The plants are gray and slightly striped. The inflorescence is a tall spike with lavender branches. Very colorful in bloom. Great clumping plant, grows well just suspended from a string or wire.

A pretty plant from Peru with greyish-green leaves and a single stem that bears pink flowers.

Tillandsia purpurea is found in Peru's famous coastal deserts where it forms large colonies on the burning sands, each containing millions of plants of a single or a few clones. Adjacent valleys may have completely different looking forms which are in fact the same species. This happens to be one of the more desirable of Tillandsias due in part to its ease of cultivation and its colorful, fragrant flowers.

A small species with twisted foliage and fragrant light blue flowers. Native of Bolivia and Argentina where it grows in small clusters in the arid scrublands. The leaves are silvery, terete and somewhat kinked. Its inflorescence is like that of a streptocarpa, with light blue fragrant flowers. Grow bright and airy for best results.

A plant of some mystery. Central American forms of concolor are still offered as acostae, as are some forms of fasciculata. In fact, I am not certain that anyone really knows what exactly Tillandsia acostae is. This species is now considered to be rhomboidea, though we also have that species and this one is different in some ways.

Our plants came from Costa Rica many years ago. At the time we showed the plants to Prof. Dr. Werner Rauh who gave us the name. Over the years we have never seen another ‘real’ acostae, and I guess we never will as it is now not recognized. It is a compact, stiff leaved plant with a dark orange, inflorescence with four or more branches that are almost oval in cross section. Rather slow growing but worth the wait!

A rock dwelling species from Oaxaca, Mexico. This form differs from the typical epiphytic form having more rigid reddish leaves in a 12 to 15 inch rosette and a stouter inflorescence of yellow branches. Found growing on rocks in canyon bottoms and occasionally on cliffs, in full sun. Grows in typical Tillandsia conditions in cultivation.