Tillandsioideae
Encyclopedia
Tillandsioideae is a subfamily of plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae
. This group contains the fewest genera
(9) but the greatest number of species (1,277). Most are epiphytic
or lithophytic
, growing in trees or on rocks where they absorb water and nutrients from the air. Spanish moss
of the Tillandsia
genus
is a well-known variety. Bromeliads in the genera Guzmania
and Vriesia
are the more commonly cultivated members of this subfamily.
have specialized cell
groups called trichome
s which form scales on the foliage. The trichomes occurring on Tillandsioideae may cover the plants so completely that they appear grey or white, like Spanish moss. In addition to absorbing nutrients, the trichomes may serve to insulate the plant from freezing weather.
Plants in this group have smooth or entire leaf margins, unusual color and markings, with many producing fragrant flowers. All their leaves are spineless (unarmed) and their fruit is a dry capsule containing winged seeds which are usually dispersed by breezes. Feathery seed plumes help them to adhere to a suitable epiphytic surface for germination. This subfamily is probably the most evolved with special adaptations for survival in very dry conditions, with many described as xerophyte
s.
Bromeliaceae
Bromeliaceae is a family of monocot flowering plants of around 3,170 species native mainly to the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the American subtropics and one in tropical west Africa, Pitcairnia feliciana...
. This group contains the fewest genera
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
(9) but the greatest number of species (1,277). Most are epiphytic
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
or lithophytic
Lithophyte
Lithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
, growing in trees or on rocks where they absorb water and nutrients from the air. Spanish moss
Spanish Moss
Spanish moss is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees, commonly the Southern Live Oak or Bald Cypress in the southeastern United States....
of the Tillandsia
Tillandsia
Tillandsia is a genus of around 540 species in the Bromeliad family , found in the forests, mountains, and deserts, of Central and South America, and Mexico and the southern United States in North America....
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
is a well-known variety. Bromeliads in the genera Guzmania
Guzmania
Guzmania is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Anastasio Guzman, Spanish pharmacist and naturalist.Several species of this genus are cultivated as indoor and outdoor garden plants...
and Vriesia
Vriesia
Vriesea is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamilyTillandsioideae. The genus name is for Willem Hendrik de Vriese, Dutch botanist, physician ....
are the more commonly cultivated members of this subfamily.
Description
Nearly all bromeliadsBromeliaceae
Bromeliaceae is a family of monocot flowering plants of around 3,170 species native mainly to the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the American subtropics and one in tropical west Africa, Pitcairnia feliciana...
have specialized cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
groups called trichome
Trichome
Trichomes are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants and certain protists. These are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae.- Algal trichomes :...
s which form scales on the foliage. The trichomes occurring on Tillandsioideae may cover the plants so completely that they appear grey or white, like Spanish moss. In addition to absorbing nutrients, the trichomes may serve to insulate the plant from freezing weather.
Plants in this group have smooth or entire leaf margins, unusual color and markings, with many producing fragrant flowers. All their leaves are spineless (unarmed) and their fruit is a dry capsule containing winged seeds which are usually dispersed by breezes. Feathery seed plumes help them to adhere to a suitable epiphytic surface for germination. This subfamily is probably the most evolved with special adaptations for survival in very dry conditions, with many described as xerophyte
Xerophyte
A xerophyte or xerophytic organism is a plant which has adapted to survive in an environment that lacks water, such as a desert. Xerophytic plants may have adapted shapes and forms or internal functions that reduce their water loss or store water during long periods of dryness...
s.
Genera
The 9 genera are:- AlcantareaAlcantareaAlcantarea is related to the genus Vriesea of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae.-Species:* Alcantarea benzingii Leme...
(23 species) - CatopsisCatopsisCatopsis is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is from the Greek “kata” and “opsis” . Catopsis is a genus of plants that can be found from Florida to the eastern parts of Brazil, including the Caribbean...
Griseb.August GrisebachAugust Heinrich Rudolf Grisebach was a German botanist and phytogeographer. Born in Hannover on April 17, 1814, he died at Göttingen on May 9, 1879.- Biography :...
(18 species) - GlomeropitcairniaGlomeropitcairniaGlomeropitcarnia is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is from the Latin “glomero” and the genus Pitcairnia....
(2 species) - GuzmaniaGuzmaniaGuzmania is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Anastasio Guzman, Spanish pharmacist and naturalist.Several species of this genus are cultivated as indoor and outdoor garden plants...
Ruiz & Pav.Ruiz y Pavón-Ruiz et Pavón:Ruiz y Pavón Spanish form of the combination Ruiz et Pavón, as used as authority in plant species.-Joseph Pavón:Jose Antonio Pavón y Jimenez Spanish botanist, with Hipólito Ruiz López and the French specialist Dombey visited between 1779 and 1788 Chile, Peru and other South American...
(207 species) - MezobromeliaMezobromeliaMezobromelia is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Carl Christian Mez, German botanist .The species of this genus are rare in cultivation. They are native to Colombia and Ecuador....
(9 Species) - RacinaeaRacinaeaRacinaea is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus is named for Racine Foster, wife of Mulford B. Foster and co-founder of the BSI-Species:* Racinaea adpressa J.R. Grant...
(61 species) - TillandsiaTillandsiaTillandsia is a genus of around 540 species in the Bromeliad family , found in the forests, mountains, and deserts, of Central and South America, and Mexico and the southern United States in North America....
L. (609 species) - Vriesea Lindl.John LindleyJohn Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
(261 species) - WerauhiaWerauhiaWerauhia is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Werner Rauh, German botanist...
J.R.Grant (87 species)