Spotlight on Tillandsia xerographica

Tillandsia xerographica is a rare epiphytic bromeliad, native to Mexico and Guatemala, where it grows in arid environments. Highly sculptural, it forms a dense rosette of leathery, pointed, often twisted leaves, covered in light grey scales. Its glowing red inflorescence, every bit as impressive as the leaves, bears numerous green and yellow flower spikes, from which lavender-coloured tubular flowers emerge.

Its size and highly sculptural appearance make it a particularly striking plant: its rosette reaches 90 cm in diameter and the entire plant grows to a height of 1 metre when in flower…

In its natural habitat, T. xerographica can survive for up to 9 months without rain! Nevertheless, night-time dew provides it with the small amounts of water it needs, which it collects thanks to its dense, scaly surface. It is classified as xerophilic, meaning it is adapted to an arid climate, just like cacti. These plants generally have the ability to slowly consume the water they receive. This is the case with T. xerographica: its thick, bulbous heart acts as a water reserve.

The name xerographica comes from the Latin xero (dry) and graphica (drawing, painting), referring to its xerophytic nature and the varied colours of its inflorescence.

There is one extremely rare form: Tillandsia xerographica f. variegata, with leaves streaked with white.