Family: Bromeliad
Sub-Family: Tillandsioideae:
Genus: Tillandsia
Sub-Genus:
Native distribution and habitat: T. purpurea is endemic to Peru where it grows from coastal desert sands and rocks up to elevations of 2.800 m.
Growth habit: In habitat, the plant grows in long strands which tie into the shifting sand and then form thick mounds. The stem has a moderate number of silver green leaves.
Foliage: The semi succulent leaves grow at right angles along a caulescent stem, are narrowly triangular, long and tapered and can vary from 150 mm to 300 mm.
Flowers: The brightly colorful, purple inflorescence, produces wonderfully fragrant flowers with a unique cinnamon smell.
Seed:
Pups: The plant can produce many off set pups.
Cultivation: The plant responds to bright light and in habitat is exposed to mist and fog. So it prefers to not be wet for extended periods; allow it to dry out completely between misting. Treat as T. paleacea and T. latifolia another species endemic to the Peruvian coastal deserts.
Availability: A great plant and sort after, not often available.
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