Tillandsia mallemontii

Named after a French collaborator of Auguste Glaziou, this charming epiphyte is native to the woods of Brazil, thriving from sea level to 800 meters in elevation.

Key Features:

• Forms dense, fast-growing clumps
• Covered in coarse, cinereous trichomes giving a soft, silvery appearance
• Produces fragrant, flax blue flowers
• Adaptable size, growing 12 to 15 cm tall and wide

Tillandsia mallemontii is a caulescent species that creates a mesmerizing display with its cloud-like clusters. The leaves are distichous (arranged in two rows) and covered with a coarse tomentum of cinereous trichomes, giving the plant a soft, silvery texture. The blades are typically spreading to recurving and long-attenuate, creating an elegant, wispy appearance.

When in bloom, T. mallemontii puts on a delightful show. The simple inflorescence is thin-filiform, reaching about 12 cm in length. The floral bracts are distichous, narrowly lanceolate, and complanate, bearing 1-4 flowers. Each flower is about 1.7 cm in diameter, showcasing a beautiful flax blue color. One of the most charming aspects of this species is the sweet fragrance its flowers emit, attracting moths and butterflies in its natural habitat.

Collector's Note: This species is mellitophilous, meaning it's adapted for pollination by honey-eating birds or insects, adding an interesting ecological aspect to its cultivation.

Care Tips: Provide bright, indirect light and excellent air circulation. As a thin-leaved species, it thrives in an airy environment. When grown in clumps, ensure the interior doesn't stay moist for extended periods to prevent rot. While it prefers a well-lit location, avoid harsh, direct sunlight.

Ideal for:

• Collectors seeking a fast-growing, clumping Tillandsia
• Those who appreciate fragrant airplant blooms
• Enthusiasts looking for species with a soft, silvery appearance
• Growers who can provide good air circulation and moderate light

Display Recommendation: Mount on a piece of driftwood or place in a hanging container to allow the clumps to cascade. Its fast growth makes it excellent for creating living sculptures or airplant "trees."

Add this fragrant beauty to your collection and enjoy the frequent, sweetly scented blooms of this Brazilian cloud-like airplant.