Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L.
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Authority
Smith, Lyman B. & Downs, Robert J. 1977. Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14 (2): 663-1492. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Bromeliaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Sloane s n (holotype BM, GH photo), without exact locality, Jamaica, 1687-90.
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Synonyms
Renealmia usneoides L., Fucus filum L., Tillandsia trichoides Kunth, Tillandsia filiformis Lodd., Ortiz-Cat. & Schult.f., Tillandsia pendula Thunb. ex G.Gaertn., Dendropogon usneoides Raf., Strepsia usneoides (L.) Steud. ex Nutt., Tillandsia crinita Willd. ex Beer, Tillandsia usneoides f. genuina André, Tillandsia usneoides f. longissima André, Tillandsia usneoides f. filiformis André, Tillandsia usneoides f. major André, Tillandsia usneoides f. ferruginea André, Tillandsia usneoides f. crispa André, Tillandsia usneoides f. cretacea Mez in Mart., Tillandsia usneoides f. robusta Mez ex E.Morren in Mart., Tillandsia usneoides var. filiformis (André) Mez, Tillandsia usneoides var. ferruginea (André) Mez, Tillandsia usneoides var. longissima (André) Mez, Tillandsia usneoides var. robusta (Mez) Mez, Tillandsia usneoides var. cretacea (Mez) DC.
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Description
Description - Plant growing pendent from trees in branching strands up to 8 m long, varying somewhat in indument and dimensions of stem and leaf but reliable subspecific classification impossible without careful study of living material; roots soon absent; stem sympodial, less than 1 mm in diameter, the internodes 3-6 cm long with only the extreme base covered by the leaf-sheath, strongly curved; pseudo-axillary branches, actually a continuation of the main axis, very short and concealed by the basal leaf-sheath, bearing 2-3 leaves. Leaves distichous-ranked, 25-50 mm long, densely cinereous-lepidote or ferruginous-lepidote; sheaths elliptic, involute, to 8 mm long; blades filiform, less than 1 mm in diameter. Scape practically none. Inflorescence reduced to a single pseudo-lateral flower. Floral bract ovate, apiculate or caudate, densely lepidote, shorter than the sepals; flower subsessile. Sepals narrowly ovate, acute, to 7 mm long, thin, strongly nerved, glabrous, equally short-connate; petals narrow, acute or obtuse, 9-11 mm long, pale green or blue; stamens deeply included, exceeding the pistil. Capsule to 25 mm long, cylindric, abruptly short-beaked.
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Distribution
Obligate epiphyte in humid habitats, from near sea level to 3300 m alt, southeastern United States to central Argentina and Chile. Selected specimens:
United States of America North America| Virginia United States of America North America| North Carolina United States of America North America| Georgia United States of America North America| Florida United States of America North America| Alabama United States of America North America| Mississippi United States of America North America| Arkansas United States of America North America| Texas United States of America North America| Mexico North America| Tamaulipas Mexico North America| Nuevo León Mexico North America| Baja California Mexico North America| Durango Mexico North America| Sinaloa Mexico North America| San Luis Potosí Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Nayarit Mexico North America| Hidalgo Mexico North America| Jalisco Mexico North America| Puebla Mexico North America| Tlaxcala Mexico North America| Michoacán Mexico North America| México Mexico North America| Morelos Mexico North America| Oaxaca Mexico North America| Chiapas Mexico North America| Yucatán Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Petén Guatemala Central America| Baja Verapaz Guatemala Central America| Santa Rosa Guatemala Central America| Honduras Central America| Yoro Honduras Central America|