Tillandsia caput-medusae

Taxobox

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Poales
familia = Bromeliaceae
subfamilia = Tillandsioideae
genus = Tillandsia
species = "T. caput-medusae"
binomial = "Tillandsia caput-medusae"
binomial_authority =

"Tillandsia caput-medusae", Octopus Plant or Medusa's Head is a species of flowering plant in the bromeliad family, subfamily Tillandsioideae. 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 10 inches (25 cm) 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 Tillandsias.

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 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) long with the stamens exserted.

References

*http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week361.shtml
*http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/p1/gw1097629.html