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Cressler, Alan

Tillandsia utriculata

Tillandsia utriculata L.

Spreading Airplant, Giant Wild-pine, Wild-pine, Swollen Wild-pine

Bromeliaceae (Bromeliad Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: TIUT

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)

Tillandsia utriculata is the largest Tillandsia species in the United States, with leaves reaching 2 feet (60 cm) in length and a flower stalk up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Its fleshy leaves make it look more like the familiar tropical bromeliads than do the other North American species in its genus. It ranges from southern Georgia and Florida south through the Caribbean and from Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico south through Central America to Venezuela in northern South America.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: To about 6 feet in height when in flower.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Flowers are white and the floral bracts are green.

Distribution

USA: FL , GA
Native Distribution: southern Georgia and Florida south through the Caribbean and from Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico south through Central America to Venezuela in northern South America

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Tillandsia utriculata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Tillandsia utriculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tillandsia utriculata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-14
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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