Family: Bromeliad
Sub-Family: Tillandsioideae:
Genus: Tillandsia
Sub-Genus:
Native distribution and habitat: This species grows epiphytic in forest, at elevations between 750-3600 m. It grows across a wide range and is native to Bolivia, Peru, northern Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Venezuela and Ecuador. It is one of the most prolific bromeliad species throughout Ecuador.
Growth habit: For many growers, this unusual Tillandsia does not pup but does not die after flowering, rather continuing to grow then re-flowering every year for six to seven years. It grows to about 30cm across
Foliage: Forms 40 or more leaves which are bright green at the ends and yellower in the centre.
Flowers: The flowers form at the end of long stems and fall downward to match the spreading rosette. There can be more than 15 induvidual flower stems tipped with a red bracts.
Seed:
Pups: While T. complanata is usually monocarpic it will on the rare occasion throw pups. As the plant gets older it starts to form a trunk, so clean off the bottom dead leaves carefully as any pups form on this trunk. If you are lucky enough to grow it for several more years you will have to watch out for the lower part of the caudex to wither and die.
Cultivation: the plant will respond to organic fertilizer ever so often and pretty strong light as long as the temp, like relativly cool temperatures.
Availability: Not always available.
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