AIR PLANTS (TILLANDSIAS)
Tillandsia funckiana
198
Native to the Andes of Venezuela, this cliff dweller is one of the jewels of the genus. A caulescent plant forming large clumps in just a few years, has fine, needle-like leaves about 3/4 inch long which flush red when blooming. The flower is a single, red, slightly flaring tube. A clump in bloom is a sight to behold! Flowers at various times throughout the warm months. A must for any collection, simply hang from a wire, grow it bright, water and fertilize frequently, allow to dry quickly.
Tillandsia subteres
494
This beautiful species is native to only a couple of isolated canyons in central Honduras. A large upright grower to over 30 inches, with stiff, reddish leaves and an inflorescence of long pink, upright, terete branches.
In nature it lives at the base of cliffs, supporting itself against rocks and other plants. In cultivation it can be kept bare root, mounted or may be potted in a well drained media.
Tillandsia filifolia
186
A tropical jewel from Central America, has needle-fine 3 inch green leaves on a base the size of a jaw breaker. Delicate lilac flowers are borne on a branched purple inflorescence. Tillandsia filifolia is found throughout Mexico and Central America. In Belize it has a limited range, being restricted to the pine forests of the Maya Mountains where it enjoys the breezy, cool conditions. Found at altitudes over 500 feet, it, however does well at sea level and is now a staple item in the bromeliad trade, being propagated in large quantities. Til. filifolia resembles a little sea urchin with a marble-sized base and stiff, hair-fine leaves to three inches long. The inflorescence is purple, up to six inches tall and branched. Enjoys bright shade and humid conditions.
Tillandsia straminea 'Apurimac'
795
A caulescent Peruvian plant that is quite different from other forms of this species. A stem that can reach several feet long, is covered with, 3 inch silvery leaves. A simple 12 inch or larger spike bears large deep purple flowers. An attractive plant that grows fast and produces numerous offsets from the base of the old bloom spike. This form doesn’t make roots.
Tillandsia jonesii
6921
A smallish species of Tillandsia that grows on a long stem. The narrow, stiff leaves are 2 to 3 inches long spaced along the stem and taper to a point. The overall color is dark purplish with a silvery tint. The inflorescence is a 2 inch scape with bright pink bracts and flaring blue flowers. Clumps are easily formed and once a clump forms, the plants can be suspended from a string for cultivation.
Native to Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil, it has a strong resemblance to T. aeranthos though it must be significantly different enough to deserve species status. Our plants came originally from the collection of Elton Leme.