Tillandsia baileyi
Family: Bromeliaceae
Description: Leaves are gray with spiral arms curled to a point, up to 12 inches long, covered with water-absorbing scales. Flowers are subtended by pink or red bracts; three petals, bluish, up to 1 1/8 inch long. Fruit are capsules up to 1 1/2 inches long, splitting into 3 parts to release hairy seeds.
Field Identification: Very colorful bromeliads when in bloom. Leaves wider than Ball Moss (T. recurvata); much rarer.
Trivia: Epiphyte growing in clumps. Pollinated by hummingbirds. Has affinity for Texas Ebony. Threatened by introduced Fox Squirrel in Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Occurrence: Coastal counties from Nueces south to Rio GrandeValley.
Bloom Period: Spring
Plant Use: Indirect measure of air quality; landscaping and patio display.
Key to Tillandsia species:
1.Stems long, hairlike………………T. usneoides
Stems short or absent……………………………2
2.Leaves mostly 1 – 2 mm wide….T. recurvata
Leaves wider…………………………….T. baileyi
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