tillandsia

[ ti-land-zee-uh ]

noun

1. any of numerous, chiefly epiphytic bromeliads of the genus Tillandsia, including Spanish moss and many species cultivated as ornamentals.

tillandsia

/ tɪˈlændzɪə /

noun

1. any bromeliaceous epiphytic plant of the genus Tillandsia, such as Spanish moss, of tropical and subtropical America

Word History and Origins

Origin of tillandsia¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus), after Elias Tillands, 17th-century Finno-Swedish botanist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of tillandsia¹

C18: New Latin, named after Elias Tillands (died 1693), Finno-Swedish botanist

Example Sentences

The outfits are made of colorful living material, including headdresses of tillandsia, or air plants, and tresses of huperzia, a tropical clubmoss.

From Seattle Times

His next suggestion: “Any other Tillandsia.”

From Seattle Times

Distinctive Tillandsia funckiana looks like what might happen if a giant caterpillar were crossed with a soft-needled conifer.

From Seattle Times

The largest air plant, Tillandsia xerographica, a spiral of silver tentacle-like leaves, is another favorite.

From Seattle Times

South Bay Bromeliad Associates members will be displaying their own bromeliads, including specimens of tillandsia, neoregelia, dyckia, vriesea, aechmea, billbergia and guzmanias.

From Los Angeles Times