Tillandsia complanata

Native to Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical South America, it is an epiphytic or rock-growing bromeliad of humid mountain forest. Strap-shaped leaves form a spreading rosette. Several flower stalks arise from the leaf axils. Flattened spikes display overlapping pink to red bracts, with narrow violet flowers emerging in sequence. It can continue producing flower spikes over a long period. Natural hybrids with several related species occur in Ecuador. Photographed in Colombia.