Tillandsia × smalliana

Native to Florida, this naturally occurring hybrid bromeliad comes from crosses between Tillandsia balbisiana and Tillandsia fasciculata. It grows as an epiphyte, forming a rosette of narrow green leaves that anchors to branches without drawing nutrients from its host. Slender purple tubular flowers extend from overlapping green and pink-tinged bracts on an upright stem. Photographed in Florida.