Once in the Pseudo-Catopsis subfamily of Tillandsia which was elevated to Racinaea. Native to the arid thorn forests of Ecuador and Northern Peru where colonies of hundreds stand out with their distinctive yellow coloration and most unusual, multi-branched, lace-like, almost white inflorescence. A most unusual species, certainly one of the best of the genus, with easy cultural requirements like that of most Tillandsias; Grow epiphytically or in well drained media in bright shade to nearly full sun and water as needed, once to a few times per week, keep drier in winter.

A large growing and spectacular hybrid by John Arden is a cultivar of (jalisco monticola x roland-gosselinii). A graceful, arching rosette of narrow, silvery leaves, reaching over 24 inches in diameter. The inflorescence is a tall scape to over 2 feet tall, with a cluster of inflated branches, red on the bottom becoming green on top. Very showy and long lasting in bloom. 

A stunning hybrid of (chiapensis x tricolor) takes on the very best of both species. In general the shape is like that of tricolor, an open rosette of narrow, fairly stiff leaves. They differ from the wide leaves of chiapensis but take on the silvery coloration of that species. The inflorescence is taller than the foliage, with a central spike and three or four side branches, rather like the shape of the tricolor parent. The color is glossy red in the center with a dusting of silver trichomes towards the margins, which appear pink. Immature branches are yellow and flowers blue. A very colorful hybrid! 

An apparent natural hybrid from Mexico of (brachycaulos x paucifolia) as identified by Harry Luther. After acquiring the plant, Bill Timm made a note to ‘Ask Harry’ and I guess the name stuck. Wouldn’t have been my pick, but it is what it is. Anyway, this is a handsome little plant in an upright vase shape of stiff, deeply channeled leaves that are reddish with light silver banding. The inflorescence is fairly short, may or may not branch and is pink with blue flowers. Showy plants. 

A hybrid of (paucifolia x streptophylla) by Bill Timm. A tall, upright, tight, somewhat bulbous rosette of long, curling leaves. Silvery, with a tall, pink inflorescence bearing pink bracts and pink branches with blue flowers. A very handsome and vigorous plant. 

A stunning hybrid that is a happenstance of nature. We imported a number of wild bromeliads from Mexico back in the 1980's and early '90s and this plant and one or two others of apparently the same natural cross: (streptophylla x botterii) were among them.

A large grower with characteristics of both parents. The basic shape of botterii along with the shape of the inflorescence but the thick texture and silvery trichomes of streptophylla. An upright, spreading vase, bulbous at the base, with silvery, half inch wide, fairly stiff, channeled leaves. The inflorescence is large, taller than the foliage with a red rachis and long, petiolate branches that are mostly yellow. A dramatic, beautiful plant. 

Tillandsia 'Awesome Amber' is a hybrid from Paul Isley, composed of Tillandsia rothii x Tillandsia concolor parentage.

A really wild looking hybrid blushing light red when in bloom and forming a capitate inflorescence. Multiple bright orange-red spikes protrude from the capitate head for a completely bizarre look. (capitata x flabellata) (Bak)

A hybrid of (brachycaulos x streptophylla) by Paterson. A plant of variable size that may flower from 5 to 10 inches tall. Somewhat bulbous and upright, the leaves are reddish and lepidote, blushing red at anthesis. The inflorescence is capitate with blue flowers.