Tillandsia: 10 amazing species

Unusual tillandia flowers will decorate any interior. This amazing evergreen perennial, spread from South America, attracts attention not only by the diversity and forms of foliage, but also by the way to grow without roots. Agree, a huge green hat with a bright flower looks in a very special way on any wooden or wire hanging stand without a flowerpot. But there are varieties that are cultivated in the traditional way. Some of them have highly developed stems, others are completely absent, and others have unique foliage. In nature, there are about five hundred species of this wonderful plant. Consider the ten most beautiful of them.

Tinea (Tillandsia usneoides)

Tillandsii usneevidnuyu called called "Cyanea" or "Spanish (louisian) moss." A characteristic feature of the species is an unusual soft threadlike stems of light color that cling to the trunks of trees or tall shrubs.The plant does not lead a parasitic way of life, but uses neighboring vegetation as a support. To the best of growth, tillandsia builds up young shoots and loses the dead bottom. These epiphytes are especially beautiful in their native rocky areas in Bolivia, where they climb to a height of 3.5 m.

Botanists deny belonging tillandii usidene to mosses, despite the resemblance, it does not multiply disputes, and vegetatively. Its spread is facilitated by the wind, which picks up the ripe grains, transferring them to new areas. Despite the fragility of the stalks, the plant easily takes root in areas that other colors seem very unfavorable. Its scaly leafy plates are the main source of nutrition. Through them, the flower from the external environment receives the necessary moisture and nutrients.At the peak of the growing season, dull bluish buds appear from the smoky-green thin stalks of the cap.

Silver (Tillandsia argentea)

This type of tillandia is classified by the scientists to the atmospheric group, which develops in a rootless way. Externally, the plant has a narrow, long leaves of silver color that grow randomly. At the base they are slightly expanded, and curved at the tips. Depending on the cultivation region, in the period from June to August, a long peduncle with a small yellow bud is poked out of the base.

From a distance, the culture resembles a folded shred of dry timothy leaves. It lives on tree trunks and rocks. Loves well lit areas without direct ultraviolet. In the apartment such copies are better placed in the north-eastern or western windows. In summer, it can decorate balconies and terraces.

Sitnikova (Tillandsia juncea)

Tillandsiya titanic is a small epiphyte, height from 25 cm to half a meter. A specific feature of the culture is collected in a bushy rosette reed foliage green. During the budding period, an elongated purple bract with small lilac-violet flowers appears from its panicle. It prefers very wet rooms, as it feeds on leaves. Do not tolerate dry and cold air.

Blue (Tillandsia cyanea)

Blue tillandsia differs from other types of epiphytic group by narrow leaves collected in a rosette, resembling cereals in shape.

A characteristic feature of tillandia blue foliage is the purple-brown color at the base and brown striation along the entire length. As with other members of the genus of grassy epiphytes from the Bromeliad family, Leaf plates have subtle scales that help the plant get the necessary moisture and nutrition.In the hot season, the crop throws out an elliptical spikelet with a flattened base and lilac-pink small bracts. From them, small blue-lilac flowers with a rhombic petal form gradually appear from the top to the edge. At the same time, no more than 2 buds can flaunt on the spikelet.

Sticking out (tillandsia stricta)

The variety is distinguished by dark green leaf plates in the shape of a narrow triangle, from 7 cm to 20 cm long and from 0.5 cm to 1 cm wide. At the base they are gathered into a thick basal panicle. From it appear short peduncles with spike inflorescences. They are arranged in a spiral order oval bracts of various shades. Often they are pink or bright red. The lower bracts look very impressive, which is much longer than the rest. They slightly cover the delicate buds with bluish or purple petals.

Tricolor (Tillandsia tricolor)

Tillandsiya tricolor is characterized by linear green leaves, collected at the base of the outlet. Their length can vary within 20 cm, and width -1 cm. On the back side of the foliage there are bluish tiny scales. At the time of budding from a foliar panicle, a long upward sprout appears. In some forms of this variety, the inflorescences are simple, while others are spiciform or complex. Over time, the bracts in the form of an elongated oval are poked out of them. Their uniqueness lies in different tones that simultaneously appear on the green background of foliage. The upper ones are usually light green, the middle ones are yellow, and the lower ones are bright crimson. In this color extravaganza appear small purple flowers with diamond-shaped petals.

Tillandsia ionantha

The violet tillandia is easily recognizable by a neat silver foliage outlet with curved edges. In the summer its top turns red.In the same period low spikelets appear with violet-blue buds. From a distance, it seems as if a large red flower with green sepals and a blue heart grew from a stand.

Head of a jellyfish (Tillandsia caput-medusae)

Tillandsiya "head of jellyfish" forms a small dense bulb, consisting of the bases of the foliage. The top of each leaf plate is curved down or to the side. The plant receives the necessary portion of moisture through the leaf sinuses on the bulb. It is there that accumulates the necessary supply of water that flows down the leaves and is absorbed. The "head of the jellyfish" blooms with purple spike-shaped inflorescences of complex shape, within which small blue flowers appear.

Duer (Tillandsia dyeriana)

This species looks very elegant due to the peduncle, the length of which is twice the size of the plant itself. It reveals a loose spike inflorescence with rich red bracts.Under the weight of the flowers, the arrow forms an arc. The wide oblong foliage of this species of tillandsii is bright green with a slight smoky shade. There is no stem.

Linden (Tillandsia lindenii)

This type of tillandia has many similarities with the blue variety. The main difference between them lies in the color of the bracts. In Linden, they are pale pink or carmine-scarlet, and the flowers have blue petals with a white "asterisk". The leaves are linear, collected in the outlet of 30-55 pieces. Plant length does not exceed 25 cm.

In the house such a wonderful flower without a root and a stem will find a place in a flower pot, and somewhere on a wooden, stone ledge. Terrestrial species that are distinguished by green foliage are used to decorate terrariums, bottles, or grow in small containers. But epiphytic tillandsii, which are characterized by gray leaf plates, do not need soil at all. They can be hooked on a growing bush, tree or stone base. You and your guests will be surprised by such a miracle.