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.

*VIPP plants are small, not in bud

An interesting species from Bahia, Brazil where it grows on exposed rock. Upright growing with narrow, 8 inch long leaves on a caulescent stem. The inflorescence is an erect spike, slightly taller than the foliage, terminating with a cluster of pink bracts and white flowers. A mature plant in bloom can reach 16 inches tall and 8 inches wide. Our plant is descended directly from the type collection by Elton Leme.