Tillandsias Caput Medusae

Is one of the most widespread and hardy species. It grows from sea level to 2,400 meters in elevation and is indigenous to Mexico and Central America. It is stemless and quite variable in size, from 10 to 20 cm high. Some giant specimens of this species have been known to reach a height and width of 35 cm.

Most populations are lettuce green. The floral bracts are imbricate, chartaceous (papery), and usually glabrous, much like those of tillandsia bulbosa. With strong light, the floral bracts are often a strikingly attractive cherry to blood red. The amount of light the floral clumps receive plays an important part in the colour of the bloom spikes. The flowers are mauve.

It tolerates poor conditions and neglect better than most other species. In addition, the plant responds well to good care. A program of high light, water, and fertiliser will reward the grower with more rapid plant growth, a larger flower, and more offsets. When grown well, the plant is quite colourful. The leaves are dumentum while the margins are often bright purple. It roots rapidly to its mounting medium. In just a few years one will be able to point proudly to a specimen clump 60 cm in diameter that truly appears as Medusa’s head.

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