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****  FLORIDA'S NATIVE BROMELIADS  ****
Tillandsia x smalliana
Crow's Nest



Tillandsia smalliana
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.


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Web master: tmcooper@ufl.edu
Last update: 17 February 2016