Considered a synonym of Tillandsia tricolor Schlechtendal & Chamisso var. tricolor —SeeSmith & Downs 1977p. 939
Considered a good species on its own. Misdetermined in most exsiccates as Tillandsia fasciculata var. clavispica Mez, the later taxon is restricted to the Greater Antilles —SeeEspejo et al. 2005p. 147-150