Distribution: USA; Florida,

Habitat: Tillandsia Xsmalliana is frequently encountered in cypress swamps and in brightly lit hammocks throughout the southern portion of Florida ( pers. obs.) always in the company of its putative parents T. balbiaiana Schultes f. and T. fasciculata Sw. var. densispica Mez. All specimens examined are consistently intermediate, suggesting that these plants are primary hybrids and rarely backcross with either parent. Whether or not these hybrids are fertile has not been ascertained but they often develop fruit both in the wild and in cultivation. Tillandsia X smalliana has usually been misdetermined as T. polystachia (L.) L., a common Caribbean species not known to occur in Florida. Luther (1978) has pointed out the differences between these two taxa and several other authors have expressed doubt concerning the identity and status of this Florida taxon (Smith, 1938; Rickett, 1966: C. S. Gardner,1982 and pers. comm: R, W. Read, 1984 and pers. comm.)