?Tillandsia
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) growing on an oak tree in SE USA
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Bromeliaceae Genus: Tillandsia L.
Species
See text. Spanish moss growing on an oak tree in the Southeastern United States. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus, and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta - rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta - zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta - trimerophytes Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongues Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants (also called angiosperms) are the dominant and most familiar group of land plants. ... Liliopsida is the botanical name for a class. ... families see text Poales is a botanical name at the rank of order. ... Genera See text Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) is a large family of flowering plants native to the tropical and warm temperate New World. ... Carolus Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as , (May 23, 1707 – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[1] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ...

The plant genus Tillandsia, a member of the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), is found in the deserts, forests and mountains of Central and South America, and Mexico and the southern United States in North America. The thinner leafed varieties grow in rainy areas and the thick leafed varieties in areas more subject to drought. Nutrients are gathered from the air (dust, decaying leaves and insect matter) through structures on the leaves called trichomes. Tillandsia species are epiphytes, i.e. in nature they normally grow on other plants, without being parasitic, and they grow without soil, growing instead on trees, rocks and cliffs. Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta - rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta - zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta - trimerophytes Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongues Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta... Genera See text Bromeliads include epiphytes, such as Spanish moss, and ground plants, such as the Pineapple. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Eucalyptus Forest at Swifts Creek in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. ... Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska (USA) has the highest visible base-to-summit elevation on Earth (approximately 5400 metres). ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Trichomes, from the Greek meaning growth of hair, are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants and protists. ... An example of an epiphyte assemblage of orchids and bromeliads in a garden setting The term epiphyte refers to any plant that grows upon or attached to another living plant. ... Loess field in Germany Soil horizons are formed by combined biological, chemical and physical alterations. ...

Reproduction is by offsets called "pups". A single plant could have a dozen pups which can be removed and grown alone or left to form a colony.

The genus Tillandsia was named by Carolus Linnaeus after the Finnish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640-1693). Carolus Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as , (May 23, 1707 – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[1] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Elias Tillandz (1640-1693) was a Finnish doctor and a botanist. ...

Species

There are about 400 species, including:

• Tillandsia aeranthos
• Tillandsia araujei : Sao Paulo Air Plant
• Tillandsia baileyi Rose ex Small : Spindle Airplant, Reflexed Airplant
• Tillandsia balbisiana J.A. & J.H. Schultes : Northern Needleleaf
• Tillandsia bartramii Ell. : Bartram's Airplant
• Tillandsia bulbosa Hook. : Bulbous Airplant
• Tillandsia caput-medusae : Octopus Plant
• Tillandsia circinnata
• Tillandsia cyanea : Pink Quill
• Tillandsia dyeriana : False Vriesea
• Tillandsia excelsa : Piño
• Tillandsia fasciculata Sw. : Giant Airplant
• Tillandsia festucoides Brongn. ex Mez : Fescue Airplant
• Tillandsia flabellata : Candelabrum Plant
• Tillandsia flexuosa Sw. : Twisted Airplant
• Tillandsia insignis
• Tillandsia ionanthe : Blushing Bride
• Tillandsia juncea : Wisk broom Airplant
• Tillandsia lindenii Regel : Blue-flowered Torch
• Tillandsia lineatispica Mez : Pinon
• Tillandsia meridionalis
• Tillandsia montana
• Tillandsia paucifolia Baker : Potbelly Plant
• Tillandsia pruinosa Sw. : Fuzzywuzzy Airplant
• Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. : Small Ballmoss
• Tillandsia setacea Sw. : Southern Needleleaf
• Tillandsia streptophylla : Curly Locks Plant
• Tillandsia stricta : Hanging Torch
• Tillandsia tectorum : Powder Puff Plant
• Tillandsia tenuifolia L. : Narrowleaf Plant
• Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. : Spanish Moss
• Tillandsia utriculata L. : Spreading Airplant
• Tillandsia variabilis Schlecht. : Leatherleaf Airplant
• Tillandsia xeropgraphica : Shirley Temple Airplant

Hybrids

• Tillandsia × floridana (L.B. Sm.) Luther (T. bartramii × T. fasciculata)
• Tillandsia × smalliana Luther (T. balbisiana × T. fasciculata)

Binomial name Tillandsia excelsa Griseb. ... Binomial name Werauhia insignis (Mez) W.Till, Barfuss & M.R.Samuel W. insignis is an epiphyte in montane cloud forests in Central America. ... Binomial name Tillandsia usneoides Ref: ITIS 42371 2002-08-25 Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) closely resembles its namesake Usnea, or beard moss yet is not a moss at all, but instead a flowering plant in the Family Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) that grows hanging from tree branches in full sun or... Binomial name Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) closely resembles its namesake (Usnea, or beard moss), yet is not a moss at all. ...

Cultivation and uses

Tillandsia makes an interesting houseplant, grown indoors or in a greenhouse, needing no soil because water and food is absorbed through the leaves. The roots are used as anchors only (being without root hairs through which nutrient could be taken in). Common names for Tillandsia include Air plant, Ball moss (T. recurvata) and Spanish moss, the latter referring to T. usneoides in particular. Golden Pothos, a typical potted houseplant A houseplant is usually a tropical or semi-tropical plant that is grown indoors in places such as residences and offices. ... Binomial name Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) closely resembles its namesake (Usnea, or beard moss), yet is not a moss at all. ...

Light

Place in indirect or diffused sunlight in summer (full summer sun will damage the leaves) but direct sun is acceptable in winter. If indoors, Tillandsia must be placed near a bright window (avoid a north-facing view). They prefer to be outdoors in summer.

Air

Fresh, moving air is ideal.

Indoor arrangement of six Tillandsia plants mounted on a log section.

Watering

For all watering, the first choice is rain water. If not available, use filtered tap water or tap water. The plants should be soaked thoroughly twice a week when not in flower; more often in a hot dry environment but do not keep the plants constantly wet, allow to dry between waterings. Additionally, the plant will enjoy being sprayed once a day in summer. In autumn and winter spray three times a week. Spraying does not replace thorough soaking with a watering can or dipping entirely in water (for approximately one hour). After soaking, excess water is shaken off to avoid rot. Plants in flower are more susceptible to rot and should not be soaked. Tillandsia cannot survive in standing water, nor being planted in earth. Photograph of a Tillandsia plant grouping. ... Photograph of a Tillandsia plant grouping. ...

Temperature

Temperature is not critical, the allowable range being from 32°C down to 10°C. They are sensitive to frost, except for the hardiest species, T. usneoides, which can tolerate night-time frosts down to about -10°C.

Single Tillandsia plant, composed of parent plant and two offsets.

Feeding

Spray with Bromeliad or houseplant fertilizer, once every two weeks spring and summer and once every four weeks autumn and winter. Dilute the feed to one quarter the recommended strength. Single Tillandsia plant. ... Single Tillandsia plant. ... Genera See text Bromeliads include epiphytes, such as Spanish moss, and ground plants, such as the Pineapple. ...

Flowering

Although not normally grown for their flowers some Tillandsia will bloom on a regular basis, indeed, some species have very impressive flowers. In addition it is quite common for plants to take on a different leaf colour (usually changing from green to red) when about to flower. This is, sadly, an indication that the plant is monocarpic (flowers once before dying) but offsets around the flowering plant will continue to thrive.

Offsets

After flowering, the plant will grow offsets or "pups" around the mother plant. Leave these on if possible, as the plant will be heartier if left to form a colony.

Fixing plant to a base

Fix with silicone adhesive or a non-water soluble glue, on the lower leaves but try to avoid the base from which the roots grow. For a mount, try seashells, log sections, driftwood, coral, rocks, pottery, fountains or crystals. If desired, decorate the mount with sphagnum moss (dyed or natural green) and ornaments. Silicone caulking can be used as a basic sealant against water and air penetration. ... Species See text. ...

Tillandsia caput-medusae Download high resolution version (590x728, 118 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Tillandsia cyanea Download high resolution version (960x1280, 242 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Tillandsia flabellata Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...