A hybrid of (streptophylla x balbisiana) that forms an attractive bulbous-based plant with many deeply channeled, curling leaves. The silvery leaves are thicker than the balbisiana parent and the base is thicker too. The inflorescence is multi-branched with many slender deep burgundy-red branches held erect in a cluster. Very attractive and very long lasting in color. Grows easy mounted.

A Joe Carrone hybrid of (brachycaulos x streptophylla). An open rosette of light green, curling, silvery dusted leaves form a somewhat bulbous base. An inflorescence that has long, pinkish-lavender blushing bracts and a tight cluster of pinkish branches rises about 6 inches above the foliage. A handsome, easy to grow and prolific plant. 

An accidental hybrid, probably made by hummingbirds visiting a greenhouse, is almost certainly a cross of (balbisiana x pseudobaileyi). This plant occurred amongst a group of seedlings of Tillandsia balbisiana supplied by a South American nurseryman. The shape of the plant is rather classic balbisiana in all aspects including size. The leaves though are semi-terete and have the striping like the T. pseudobaileyi. 

The inflorescence is like balbisiana in shape and size but has the color of pseudobaileyi. One can never be sure of such a cross, but in my experience I have never seen a hybrid that appeared as obvious as this one. A very striking plant.

An attractive hybrid of (ionantha x chiapensis) by John Arden. As with most ionantha hybrids, it shows very strong characteristics of that species. A very leafy open rosette to about 8 or 10 inches tall with a pinkish blush to the scurfy, silvery leaves. The inflorescence is very colorful, a cluster of bright red branches nested deep in the center, with large, tubular, inky-blue flowers. Very pretty and easy to grow. Likes to be on the dry side. 

Paul Isley’s hybrid of (seleriana x ionantha) is a small grower, larger than the ionantha parent, but half the size of seleriana. The shape is largely like the seleriana; bulbous at the base with somewhat cylindric, tapering leaves growing upright to form a sort of teardrop shape. Very fuzzy and silvery with trichomes and it blushes reddish at anthesis.

The inflorescence is held within the foliage, without a discernible scape, unlike the seleriana parent. Very nice. 

A curious hybrid of cacticola ‘Splendid’ x duratii has some characteristics of both parents but really resembles neither. The plant forms an upright rosette of stiff, succulent leaves that taper to a curling tip. The inflorescence is upright, usually simple, dark purple with pale lavender flowers. Unusual.

Prior description:

This ‘green form’ of Tillandsia edithae isn’t really green. It’s a form with more adpressed trichomes, giving the plant a more glabrous, less fuzzy, silvery appearance. In fact, in the summer here in Florida, the ‘silver form’ tends to get a bit of algae on the trichomes from the high humidity, giving it an actual green appearance.

Anyway, the ‘green form’ is different enough to warrant a cultivar name to distinguish it from the more typical, silver form. Other than that, the bloom and all aspects of growth are about the same, the leaves are perhaps a bit stiffer and a bit more compact but nearly the same as the silver form. Both are beautiful caulescent plants with short, broadly triangular, silvery-gray leaves and a stunning red-flowered inflorescence.

Native of Bolivia, they live a lithophytic existence on sheer rock cliffs, hanging in massive cascades. Care-free to grow, when mounted in a pendant fashion, they freely produce offsets along the old portions of their stems, soon forming large attractive clusters.

Note that in the second photo, both forms are there for comparison, even though it is hard to tell the apart in the photo. In life it is much easier!

*Recently (May 2024) renamed to T. iglari

Peter Tristram from Australia examined formerly, T. edithae 'Green Clone', and determines the genetic sequencing if different from the other species edithae. Thus naming this variety its own species, Tillandsia iglari.

A very nice species from Central America that for years went in the trade as paucifolia (or circinnata) 'Pink Form', that is until it was given scientific treatment and was declared a new species in its own right. Bulbous based with twisting, terete leaves and a nice clear pink inflorescence, this is an easy to grow, colorful, must have species for all Tillandsia lovers.