Tillandsioideae
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| Tillandsioideae | ||||||||||||
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 Tillandsia fasciculata
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Tillandsioideae is a subfamily of plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae. This group contains the least amount of genera (10) but the most amount of species (1,250). Most are epiphytic or lithophytic, growing in trees or on rocks where they absorb water and nutrients from the air. Spanish moss of the Tillandsia genus is a well-known variety. Bromeliads in the generas Guzmania and Vriesia are the more commonly cultivated members of this subfamily.
[edit] Description
Nearly all bromeliads have specialized cell groups called trichomes which form scales on the foliage. The trichomes occurring on Tillandsioideae may cover the plants so completely that they appear grey or white, like Spanish moss. In addition to absorbing nutrients, the trichomes may serve to insulate the plant from freezing weather.
Plants in this group have smooth or entire leaf margins, unusual color and markings, with many producing fragrant flowers. All their leaves are spineless (unarmed) and their fruit is a dry capsule containing winged seeds which are usually dispersed by breezes. Feathery seed plumes help them to adhere to a suitable epiphytic surface for germination. This subfamily is probably the most evolved with special adaptations for survival in very dry conditions, with many described as xerophytes.
 Tillandsia genus |
 Tillandsia excelsa in bloom |
 Guzmania lingulata |
