; 0 tillandsia with a 7 flowered distichous spike, petals white tipped violet, leaves very acute ensiform-subulate. plant perennial, somewhat clumping; roots fibrous. inflorescence: peduncle about a foot long, erect, simple , bracts oblong, semiamplexicaul, acute. leaves alternately folded inwards and lying upon themselves, subimbricate ensiform-subulate, very acute, canaliculate, both sides grey, sub-tomentose, entire; spikes terminal, simple, about 7 flowered. flowers distichous, sessile, bracts lanceolate-oblong, concave, purple-violet; petals white, tipped violet. fruits oblong, scarcely trigonous, base acute, pappus capillary, spreading in all directions, reddish seeds oblong; habitat in peru on hot steep cliffs, near tarma and huanuco provinces on rocks and trees.Translated by Butcher from: Ruiz & Pavon 1798. (protologue) Bromeliaceae in Florae Peruvianae et Chilensis prodomus.