

Airplants
Botanical name: Tillandsia
Airplants
Botanical name: Tillandsia


Description


Species of Airplants


Tillandsia butzii
Tillandsia butzii is a unique epiphyte native to Mexico and Central America. Its gray-green leaves are covered in fine white hairs, giving it a fluffy appearance. This plant doesn't require soil to grow and can absorb water and nutrients through its leaves. It produces a bright pink inflorescence in the summer months, making it a striking addition to any collection of air plants.

Bulbous airplant
Bulbous airplant(Tillandsia bulbosa) is a species in the genus Tillandsia. It is widespread across Central America, the West Indies, southern Mexico (Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz, Yucatán Peninsula), and northern and eastern South America (Venezuela, Colombia, the Guianas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Alagoas, Amapá, Pernambuco).

Rush-like air plant
Rush-like air plant's growth habit is the same as most other air plants, but its appearance sets it apart. It is longer and narrower than some other similar species, giving it a unique look that stands out when grouped with other plants in the genus.

Southern needleleaf
Tillandsia setacea, the southern needleleaf, is a species in the genus Tillandsia. It has a scattered, disjunct distribution in the southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia), northwestern and southern Mexico (Jalisco, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Campeche), Guatemala, the West Indies (Cayman Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico) and the State of Pará in northeastern Brazil.

Giant airplant
Giant airplant, or Tillandsia fasciculata, is a large species of bromeliad. In the wild, it grows on tree trunks and produces a stunning flower-like inflorescence that can last for a year. This air plant is endangered in the United States.

Air-flowered air plant
Tillandsia aeranthos is a species in the genus Tillandsia. This species is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Spanish moss
Spanish moss (*Tillandsia usneoides*) is native to subtropical and tropical Mexico, Central America, South America, and the southern United States. Spanish moss is also known as grandpa's beard in Polynesia. It grows on the surface of southern live oak and bald-cypress trees. It also finds commercial use in insulation, mulch, packing material, and mattress stuffing.

Spreading airplant
The spreading airplant (Tillandsia utriculata) is native to Florida and Georgia within the United States. The spreading airplant is also often called the giant airplant. This species is the host of many native invertebrate animals because it can hold a great deal of water in its leaves. It is susceptible to the invasive weevil Metamasius callizona, which has a profound effect on its native ecosystem.

Octopus plant
Octopus plant, or Tillandsia caput-medusae, gets its Latin name from the Greek Medusa, an evil creature whose hair was made of snakes. This variety of air plant can tolerate more sun and less humidity than other varieties.

Airplant
Airplant (Tillandsia stricta) is a miniature tropical plant that makes a great addition to a terrarium or an enclosed indoor garden. The lush green leaves fan out from the center, growing thick and bushy as it matures. It produces clusters of eye-catching, pinkish-purple flowers that rise up above the plant on a green spike. Prefers bright indirect sunlight or fluorescent lighting. Water-loving: soak twice a week or mist three to four times weekly.

Airplant
Plants form clumps 20 to 40 cm in diameter. There are 15-30 gray leaves, which measure 15-40 × 0.2-0.5 cm. Inflorescences are 8 to 15 cm in length, 2 to 4 mm in diameter, and have 5-20 flowers.

Air plant
Graced with strong, silvery leaves, air plant (Tillandsia xerographica) is one of a number of species colloquially known as "air plants." This name references their preference to grow, suspended, in the highest branches of tropical trees. Quite remarkably, the air plant does not necessarily need soil, instead absorbing water through its leaves.

Air plant
Air plant (Tillandsia ionantha) is a plant species native to Central America, Mexico, Costa Rica, and South America. The air plant has become naturalized in Florida. This species is a popularly sought-after air plant for home cultivation. It is popular because it is considered hearty and requires minimal care. Air plant grows best in warm, humid rooms with occasional misting with water.

Small ball moss
Small ball moss (Tillandsia recurvata) is a flowering plant that grows on the surfaces of other plant species, most commonly the southern live oak. Small ball moss is not a true moss, despite its name. This species is native to the southern United States, Argentina, and Chile. It was consumed by the indigenous Pima people of Mexico and can also be fed to animals.

Tillandsia complanata
Tillandsia complanata are some of the most common examples of epiphytes - plants that can grow on the surfaces of others without the need for soil. This capability makes them especially attractive for use in hanging pots both inside and outside the home.




Scientific Classification
