This new species has been known for many years as "the smallest form of T. tectorum" and was collected and photographed around 1970 by Dr. Jurg Rutschmann, Oberwil, Switzerland. Rauh (1974) reported this find, but did not describe it. The plant was mentioned by Smith (1974: 39) as T. tectorum var. brachyphylla Rauh, ined., but again not validly described. By its habit and inflorescence, this plant is so unambiguously different from T. tectorum and its varieties that it seems justifiable for it to be a species in its own right.
The plant forms cushions, that seem to be made up of many small, white shining stars. This is the reason for its name, stellifera = bearing stars.
T. stellifera has extremely short leaves and the diameter of its shoots is not wider than 23 cm. In contrast, it has overlong stems, that can reach several decimetres with age. This combination clearly distinguishes it from all of the other species of the group. The sessile and simple inflorescence has only 1-2 fertile flowers, the floral bracts somewhat exceed the sepals. The petals are violet, with just a bit of white at the tip.
In culture, the plants need a sunny position, not too hot and with plenty of fresh air or circulation. They should only be misted, except in summer when they can be sprayed overhead. They grow identically to those in the wild, keeping their compact habit and beautiful scales, offsetting easily and now and then they get into flower. —SeeDie Bromelie