A lithophytic form of this variable and widespread species. Growing on exposed cliff faces near Totolapan, Oaxaca, Mexico, they form dense clusters of plant. The leaves are stiff and coated with a heavy layer of silvery trichomes. Unlike some similar species, the leaves are straight, not secund. The inflorescence is tall, a straight simple spike of red bearing tubular yellow flowers. Grows best mounted or hung from a string in bright, breezy condition so they will dry quickly after watering. An easy and prolific plant to grow.

This is a plant that has been in our collection for some time without a positive identification. We had obtained this plant originally as Til. pucarensis to which it certainly has some resemblance, but it is somewhat larger, leafier and has a larger and more heavily branched inflorescence.

We have shared pieces of this plant with others familiar with the species and all agree that pucarensis is not a good fit. However there is no other species which seems a good fit either. We now suspect that this may be a natural hybrid, perhaps between pucarensis and the small form of floribunda, but it cannot be known for sure. Therefore we have chosen to give it a cultivar name in order to keep track of it in a less confusing way.

A cultivar of (paucifolia x concolor) by Bill Timm. A nice, colorful, decorative and easy to grow plant. Easy to see characteristics of both parents, the shape is like concolor but more upright. The leaves are softer, light green with silvery trichomes, more like paucifolia, but not as terete as that species and with more leaves. The inflorescence too resembles both parents; erect, multiple narrow branches of pink to red more than paucifolia. Flowers are lavender.

A cross by Bill Timm which he reported to be Tillandsia fasciculata v. densispica x capitata 'Red'. We raised seedlings from his cross. Upon blooming, it was obvious that this was not its legitimate cross, but what it might be, we didn't know. The form of the plant is much like that of a Tillandsia fasciculata, but the inflorescence in no way suggests any relationship to T. capitata. The inflorescence is a spike with two or more branches, each about four inches long. Glossy reddish-pink with tubular blue flowers. Nice, with long lasting color. We gave it this name with a nod to Bill's sense of humor. 

A cross of (albertiana x muhriae) by Mark Dimmitt. An interesting plant with semi-terete succulent leaves in an attenuated rosette. The foliage is reddish-green, finely lineated and loosely arranged on a 3 to 4 inch stem. Large deep pink flowers. Seldom offered. 

A natural hybrid of (caputmedusae x limbata) from Guatemala. At about 12 to 18 inches, it is larger than caputmedusae but smaller than limbata. It has fairly wide, long and tapering silvery leaves that curl at the tips. A slightly bulbous base and upright growth, eventually producing a lovely red inflorescence that rises above the foliage with an upright cluster of branches. Quite attractive and long lasting in bloom. Does great mounted and will form clusters of plants.

A lithophytic jewel from the southern Mexican state of Chiapas is a very desirable and unusual species. A medium sized plant that may grow to a foot tall or so, and obtain the girth of a tennis ball, but much larger specimens are sometimes seen in collections. The leaves are terete and mostly erect, often contorted and are covered with a silvery scurf. The inflorescence is an erect, stout, branched pinkish spike. Very easy to cultivate mounted or potted in light media. There is some considerable discussion that this is actually a natural hybrid, but that has no bearing on the fact that it is an outstanding plant.

A hybrid of T. chiapensis x capitata 'Rubra' (Chiapas) by Pamela Koide-Hyatt that is a good representation of both parents. It has the overall shape of the capitata parent; an upright rosette of arching leaves and an inflorescence that is a cluster of branches forming a tight head, with long, curling scape bracts. The leaves are thick and leathery, like the chiapensis parent, and keep the pinkish-silver coloration. The branches are bright, silvery pink. Plant is 25 cm tall with spike, 35-40 cm diameter. Triangular leaves, to 20 cms. long, are covered with fine dense trichomes. Leaf bases are 3.5-4 cm wide. Short, semi-recessed, slightly-branched pink spathe has purple petals. Differs from hybrid T. 'Coconut Grove' as T. 'Pink Sorbet' is always pink, never red and a different clone/color of the variable species Tillandsia capitata used as pollen parent.

A form of Tillandsia funckiana described from cultivated plants from the collection of Prof. Dr. Werner Rauh. A typical caulescent form with mildly to strongly recurved leaves. No exact locality was given for the type specimen. Our plants, which originated with the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and have the accession number of SEL1985-1874 with Barinas as a locality. Barinas could be the state or city. Either way, it is in the Andes foothills adjacent to Merida which is a locality from which many T. funckiana collections have been made. A choice form. 

Tillandsia stricta The soft-leaved form from Brazil. Mature at about 3 to 4in, has fine green to reddish-tinted leaves and will flower with vivid rose-pink bracts and blue flowers.

A nice looking hybrid (chiapensis x jalisco-monticola) by Steve Correale. This is the same cross as Dimmitt hybrid ‘Der Allerbeste’ but does not closely resemble it. A large growing plant with silvery, stiff leaves, and a thickly inflated, branched inflorescence, pink and green with a wash of silver trichomes.

Jim Irvin’s cultivar of (ionantha v. vanhyningi x caputmedusae ‘Red form’) shows some characteristics of both parents. Overall it is most similar to the caput-medusae parent with a somewhat bulbous base and narrow leaves flaring outward. The leaves are semi-terete but do not contort like caput-medusae often does. 

The ionantha v. vanhyningii aspect comes through in the inflorescence which is a short scape of tight branches and rosy red bracts. At anthesis the upper leaves blush reddish and in bright light they can be reddish most of the time.