Tillandsia on the sand in Peru

These are precious photographs that Philippe Richaud, a Tillandsia collector, brought back from his latest trip to southern Peru: Tillandsia paleacea in their natural habitat. And what a habitat! The plants grow on dry, stony sand dunes, in full sun.

They are therefore known as saxicolous plants. It is also worth noting that they are the only plants to have colonised this environment, which is subject to a level of aridity that is usually only tolerated by cacti and succulents. But they have managed to adapt: their covering of trichomes (a sort of silvery scales) enables them to reflect UV rays and absorb moisture very efficiently, making them drought-resistant plants, known as xerophytes.

Philippe noticed that the specimens had no roots. They are anchored by their oldest stems, which are buried in the sand. Fortunately, there were some flowering plants. Their scent – ‘like wallflowers’, according to Philippe – is quite distinct. And with good reason – they need to attract pollinators from far afield!