Status:
valid
                
                
                    
Authors:
É.Morren
                
                
                    
Source:
wcs
                
                
                    
Year:
1877
                
                
                    
Citation Micro:
Ann. Bot. Hort.  27: 328 (1877)
                
                
                    
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000585844
                
             
            
            
                
                
                
            
            
            
                                    
                        Common Names
                        
                        - Cardinal Air Plant
 - Tectorum Air Plant
 - Tillandsia Tectorum
                         
                     
                                
                
                    
                    
                    
                
                
                
                
                                    
                        Synonyms
                        - Pourretia nivosa hort. ex E.Morren [unknown]
 
                     
                                                    
                        Description
                        
                            Tillandsia tectorum (also called Tectorum airplant, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the Bromeliaceae family. It is native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is found in montane forests, grasslands, and scrublands.                        
                     
                                
                                    
                        Uses & Benefits
                        
                            Tillandsia tectorum is used as an ornamental plant in gardens, terrariums, and as a houseplant. It is also used as a natural air purifier, as it absorbs pollutants from the air.                        
                     
                                
                                                    
                        Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
                        
                            The flowers of Tillandsia tectorum are small, white and have four petals. The seeds are small, round and black. The seedlings are small, green and have two cotyledons.                        
                     
                                
                
                
                                    
                        Cultivation and Propagation
                        
                            Tillandsia tectorum is a species of flowering plant in the Bromeliaceae family. It is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is an epiphyte, meaning it grows on other plants, and can be propagated by division or by seed. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be kept moist but not wet. It should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season.                        
                     
                                                    
                        Where to Find Tillandsia tectorum
                        
                            Tillandsia tectorum can be found in tropical regions of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.                        
                     
                
                                    
                        Tillandsia tectorum FAQ
                        
                            What is the natural habitat of Tillandsia tectorum?
Tillandsia tectorum is native to Mexico and Central America.
What type of soil does Tillandsia tectorum prefer?
Tillandsia tectorum prefers a well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
How much light does Tillandsia tectorum need?
Tillandsia tectorum needs bright, indirect light.
                          
                     
                
                                    
                        Species in the Tillandsia genus
                        
                            Tillandsia abbreviata, 
Tillandsia abdita, 
Tillandsia achyrostachys, 
Tillandsia acuminata, 
Tillandsia adamsii, 
Tillandsia adpressiflora, 
Tillandsia aequatorialis, 
Tillandsia aeranthos, 
Tillandsia afonsoana, 
Tillandsia aguascalientensis, 
Tillandsia aizoides, 
Tillandsia albertiana, 
Tillandsia albida, 
Tillandsia alfredo-lauii, 
Tillandsia alvareziae, 
Tillandsia andicola, 
Tillandsia andreana, 
Tillandsia andrieuxii, 
Tillandsia angulosa, 
Tillandsia antillana, 
Tillandsia araujei, 
Tillandsia archeri, 
Tillandsia arenicola, 
Tillandsia arequitae, 
Tillandsia argentea, 
Tillandsia argentina, 
Tillandsia arhiza, 
Tillandsia ariza-juliae, 
Tillandsia atenangoensis, 
Tillandsia atroviolacea, 
Tillandsia atroviridipetala, 
Tillandsia aurea, 
Tillandsia australis, 
Tillandsia bagua-grandensis, 
Tillandsia baileyi, 
Tillandsia bakiorum, 
Tillandsia balbisiana, 
Tillandsia baliophylla, 
Tillandsia balsasensis, 
Tillandsia bandensis, 
Tillandsia barbeyana, 
Tillandsia barclayana, 
Tillandsia barrosoae, 
Tillandsia barthlottii, 
Tillandsia bartramii, 
Tillandsia bella, 
Tillandsia belloensis, 
Tillandsia bergerii, 
Tillandsia bergiana, 
Tillandsia bermejoensis,                         
 
                     
                                                    
                        Species in the Bromeliaceae family
                        
                            Acanthostachys pitcairnioides, 
Acanthostachys strobilacea, 
Acanthostachys calcicola, 
Aechmea abbreviata, 
Aechmea aculeatosepala, 
Aechmea alba, 
Aechmea alegrensis, 
Aechmea alopecurus, 
Aechmea ampla, 
Aechmea andersonii, 
Aechmea angustifolia, 
Aechmea anomala, 
Aechmea apocalyptica, 
Aechmea aquilega, 
Aechmea araneosa, 
Aechmea arenaria, 
Aechmea aripensis, 
Aechmea azurea, 
Aechmea bahiana, 
Aechmea bambusoides, 
Aechmea biflora, 
Aechmea blanchetiana, 
Aechmea blumenavii, 
Aechmea bocainensis, 
Aechmea brachystachys, 
Aechmea bracteata, 
Aechmea brassicoides, 
Aechmea brevicollis, 
Aechmea bromeliifolia, 
Aechmea bruggeri, 
Aechmea caesia, 
Aechmea callichroma, 
Aechmea calyculata, 
Aechmea campanulata, 
Aechmea candida, 
Aechmea cariocae, 
Aechmea carvalhoi, 
Aechmea castanea, 
Aechmea castelnavii, 
Aechmea cathcartii, 
Aechmea caudata, 
Aechmea chantinii, 
Aechmea coelestis, 
Aechmea colombiana, 
Aechmea comata, 
Aechmea conferta, 
Aechmea confusa, 
Aechmea conifera, 
Aechmea costantinii, 
Aechmea contracta,                         
 
                     
                                
                                    
                        References
                        
                            POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:125712-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].