Tillandsia caput-medusae

Tillandsia caput-medusae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Bromeliaceae
Genus: Tillandsia
Subgenus: Tillandsia
Species: T. caput-medusae
Binomial name
Tillandsia caput-medusae
E.Morren[1]

Tillandsia caput-medusae is a species of flowering plant in the bromeliad family, Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. Common names include Octopus Plant and Medusa's Head. An epiphyte native to Central America and Mexico, T. caput-medusae is a commonly cultivated bromeliad species. The thick, channeled, tapering and twisting leaves are up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long and are covered in fine gray hairs. The rosette of leaves arise from an inflated pseudobulb. Pups are produced after blooming, as is usual with most Tillandsia species.

In a greenhouse, the plants can bloom from spring to early summer. The red inflorescences are usually unbranched or digitate. Bright violet flowers are about 3.2 cm (1.3 in) long with the stamens exerted.[2]

Cultivars

References

  1. Isley, Paul T. (1987). Tillandsia: The World's Most Unusual Air Plants. Botanical Press. ISBN 978-0-9617675-0-1.
  2. Lemke, Cal (2006-05-26). "Tillandsia caput-medusae Bromeliaceae". Cal's Plant of the Week. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  3. "The BSI Cultivar Registry". Bromeliad Society International. 2009-11-05. Retrieved 2011-11-01.

External links

Media related to Tillandsia caput-medusae at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Tillandsia caput-medusae at Wikispecies