This one of the larger species, growing to well over 12 inches tall. It is more upright with silvery leaves and an inflorescence of orange which terminates in an offset.

A fine example of the variable divaricata group of latifolias. Common to southern Ecuador, it is found mostly in colonies on the ground in treeless desert areas. The plants form dense mats of hard, reflective silvery leaves, their tall shiny orange spikes glistening in the full sun. In cultivation, where conditions are relatively much less stressful, they grow somewhat larger than in their native habitats, reaching about 18 inches tall. Very slow growing.

One of the more unusual forms of the widely diverse latifolia group. An open rosette of wide, succulent leaves with a rose colored inflorescence that is very long lasting and attractive. A rare lithophytic species restricted to a few canyons of northern Peru.  A rock dweller with a shrinking range due in part to the damming of the Chancay, the plant makes a spectacular specimen. Grown into a second generation the plants take on a special beauty, responding well to fertilizer and minimal care. Mostly mature plants, seldom seen in collections. A slow grower but worth the wait!

This is a Guatemalan species that was formerly known as Tillandsia capitata v. guzmanioides. Many years ago we tried to grow this plant from wild collected specimens sent up from Kurt Meyer. These are cultivated plants that we also imported, but have had them for years and they are thriving here in Florida. This plant closely resembles some of the capitata forms but seems to agree in many aspects with the species. The photo is of one of this same clone so you can be the judge. We grow ours bare root in baskets, but this plant can tolerate potting in a light media. Green foliage with a capitate inflorescence and long scape bracts that blush bright red at anthesis.

This species, from Oaxaca, Mexico, described by Espejo & Lopez-Ferrari in 2008, has been often confused with the similar Tillandsia jalisco-monticola. Aside from its range which is unique, this species differs from jalisco-monticola in that the spike is never branched and is narrower, along with other anatomical differences. A large, spreading rosette with many narrow, dark silvery leaves to 24 inches across, with a simple inflorescence that is very thickly inflated, green on the top half and pink to red below. Very showy and long lasting in bloom.