Discussion. There are several distinct changes in petal color. Between days 1 and 2, when the petals first emerge from the bound calyx and take form, they are lemon yellow with a thin magenta margin culminating at the apex. The lower part, usually covered by the calyx, becomes exposed in some flowers and is pinkish rose. On days 2 and 3, the petals emerge a bit further and become angled. Although the margin is still present, the lemon yellow color turns a light straw and the lower pinkish rose area darkens to rose. On days 3 and 4, the margin disappears, the upper and lower colors unite as the entire corolla becomes coral-salmon. After day 4, the petals fade to a faint, light pink and dry to a faint citrus orange.
For lack of fresh flowers, this species was not included in the most recent classification of Tillandsia subgenus Tillandsia (Gardner 1983). Observations of filaments from live flowers suggest, however, that Tillandsia subulifera belongs within taxonomic Group II as defined by Gardner (1983.). —SeeGrant 1993cp. 43(3): 122
