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Tillandsia utriculata
Giant Airplant
Giant Wild Pine
Spreading Airplant
Florida native
Endangered Florida species
An epiphytic of hammocks and cypress swamps from Putnam and Flagler counties south through the peninsula. Also found in Georgia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The largest of Florida bromeliads, Tillandsia utriculata resembles T. fasiculata but generally has more recurved and thinner leaves without a keel-line on the lower surface. This species grows as solitary plants, not producing secondary plants or 'pups'. The flowering spike extends well above the leaves with the flowers having light green bracts and whitish petals. After flowering and seeding the plant dies.
Tillandsia utriculata is a member of the Bromeliaceae - Bromeliad family.
Other species of the Tillandsia genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Tillandsia balbisiana - NORTHERN NEEDLELEAF
Tillandsia bartramii - BARTRAM'S AIRPLANT
Tillandsia fasciculata var. densispica - CARDINAL AIRPLANT
Tillandsia fasciculata var. clavispica - GIANT AIRPLANT
Tillandsia floridana - FLORIDA AIRPLANT
Tillandsia recurvata - BALLMOSS
Tillandsia setacea - SOUTHERN NEEDLELEAF
Tillandsia simulata - MANATEE RIVER AIRPLANT
Tillandsia usneoides - SPANISH MOSS
Tillandsia variabilis - SOFT-LEAVED WILD PINE
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Jan 31, 2023
