This plant and another similar lithophytic plant from Temascal, Veracruz, Mexico both strongly resemble the ‘true’ Tillandsia capitata from Cuba. This plant comes from a drier part of Chiapas, a state in S.W. Mexico, differs in that it is lighter in color, covered with a layer of silvery trichomes. At anthesis, it blushes pink on the upper leaves. The flowers are deep blue and tightly tubular in shape. The true capitata species has as yet not been officially recognized from the mainland, being currently known only from Cuba and Hispaniola.

A pretty plant that grows caulescent clusters, with wide, stiff, silvery-white leaves. The inflorescence is a simple thin red spike. Native to central Mexico. Can be cultivated in a basket, mounted or hanging from a wire or string. Likes bright light and good air circulation. This clone is much smaller than the normal form.

This is a very odd hybrid that doesn’t much resemble either parent. Assuming that the reported cross is correct, the plant does not have the thick leaves of either parent, the long stem or curled leaves of duratii or an inflorescence resembling either parent in any way. The flowers are large, spreading and light blue, borne on a tall scape with green bracts. The foliage is silvery, stiff, straight and forms a leafy rosette. Whether this hybrid is correctly identified remains a question, at least to me, but does not take away from the fact that this is a handsome plant.