Colgan 2010 (Article) Tillandsia

The Wanton Tillandsia complanata

Author(s):—L. Colgan

Publication:—Journal Bromeliad Society 60(2): 87-93. (2010)

Abstract:—Tillandsia complanata is widespread from Costa Rica to Bolivia, and also occurs in the West Indies and northern Brazil. It is one of the most prolific bromeliad species throughout Ecuador, arguably surpassed only by Guzmania monostachia . When I travelled around Ecuador, photographing bromeliads in habitat, I encountered this species in countless locations and, perhaps surprisingly, in several somewhat different forms. There were small fragile plants with thin leaves no more than 15cm long. There were large robust plants with leaves easily 50cm long. In general, they formed green rosettes but, as the official description states, often “spotted, streaked, or diffused with dark purple especially toward the base”. T. complanata has multiple decurved thin flower spikes emanating laterally from the axils of the leaves. The inflorescences are simple, lanceolate, usually 6-9cm long and about 1-2cm wide. The floral bracts are reddish and the petals purplish. One uncommon property is that the same plant repeatedly flowers in the same way throughout its life without off-setting.

Published names (2):

Tillandsia complanata x stenoura
Tillandsia fendlanata x