Tillandsia x smalliana
Crow's Nest
|
|
Scientific name: Tillandsia x smalliana H. Luther (natural hybrid of Tillandsia balbisiana (northern needleleaf) and Tillandsia fasciculata (cardinal airplant)).
Former names: Tillandsia x smalliana has been misdetermined as Tillandsia polystachia (L.), a Caribbean species not found in Florida.
Common names: Crow's nest.
Status in
Florida: Thought to be precinctive (found nowhere else).
Threats to
this plant in Florida: Mexican bromeliad weevil (Metamasius callizona), habitat destruction, and illegal collection.
Distribution: Florida.
|
Distribution
in Florida: Broward, Collier, Hendry, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe (mainland), and Palm Beach Counties.
Occurrence in Florida: Occasional.
Habitat: Cypress swamps and well-lit hammocks; often on Taxodium.
Description: Epiphytic;
grows singly or in clusters, to 55 cm (22 in.) when flowering; 20-40
grayish leaves in large rosettes, spreading and narrowing abruptly at
end; sheath rust-colored and forming small pseudobulb, 3-4 cm (to 1
½ in.) wide; flower spike straight, usually 15-35 cm (6-14 in.)
tall; bracts erect to spreading, like leaves but smaller; floral bracts
red, 2-2.5 cm (1 in.); 5-40 flowers; petals violet; seeds in capsules
3-4 cm (to 1 ½ in.) long.
Time of
flowering: Winter - summer.
|
References
Coile NC. 2000. Notes on Florida's Endangered and Threatened
Plants. FDACS/DPI,
Bureau of Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology, Botany Section.
Contribution No. 38, 3rd ed., Gainesville, FL.
http://www.virtualherbarium.org/EPAC
Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
1997. Matrix of Habitats and Distribution by County of
Rare/Endangered
Species of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory/The Nature
Conservancy.
http://www.fnai.org
Long RW, Lakela O. 1976. A Flora of Tropical Florida.
Banyan Books, Miami. 178 p.
Luther
HE, Benzing DH. 2009. Native Bromeliads of
Florida. Sarasota, FL. Pineapple Press,
Inc.
Ward
DB (ed.). 1979. Plants, Vol. 5. In: Rare and Endangered Biota of
Florida, P.C.H. Pritchard (ed.). University Presses of Florida,
Gainesville, 175 p.
|
|
