Tillandsia duratii

Tillandsia duratii is a bromeliad native to subtropical South America from Bolivia to Uruguay. The long, silvery leaves curl back into spirals and can wrap around tree branches, holding the plant in place as it grows. Tiny overlapping scales give the leaves their gray cast. An upright, sometimes branching flower stalk carries fragrant lilac flowers between pale green or brownish bracts. Photographed in Florida.