This beautiful cliff-dwelling species endemic to Chiapas, Mexico is usually seen as a modest sized plant about 6 to 8 inches across, max, with normally, a simple spike. This clone is a relative giant, at well over 12 inches across and quite heavy and dense, the leaves are rather succulent and the inflorescence inflated. Covered with a thick coat of trichomes, it is silvery or even pinkish with a pink, scruffy inflorescence.

The inflorescence is usually three branched and very fat. Naturally such a large plant would be expected to be a slower grower, and it is. A blooming plant is worth the wait! Easy to grow, mounted, bright and airy, it will give months of color when in bloom. An outstanding and rarely seen selection of this fine species.

A hybrid that we got from a friend some years ago that is of unknown provenance, to us anyway. It has “the look” of a Steve Correale hybrid but we do not know for sure. This cross was also done by Paul Isley and his cross is named Tillandsia ‘Mr. Mal Mele’, but it is not the same as our plant.

Ours has broad, recurving, silvery leaves and a slightly bulbous base. The leaves blush pinkish on the upper part of the plant at anthesis. The inflorescence is about as tall as the body of the plant overall, with long scape bracts. It bears 6 or more branches that are held upright at a 45-degree angle to the scape. Floral bracts are bright red with some silvery trichomes. Flowers are violet. A very attractive plant with a long-lasting inflorescence.

A Mexican plant with very stiff leaves in an open rosette of 6 to 8 inches. The leaves are yellowish, blushing reddish in strong light or full sun and it produces a shiny red to yellow-green, branched inflorescence with pink flowers. Easy to grow, preferring conditions on the bright and dry side. Can be suspended from a string or mounted on wood, cork, stone or other substrate. Suitable for dry terrarium use.