The unusual Tillandsia intermedia

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Tillandsia intermedia has got to be one of my earliest tillandsias, which means that the original plants may have harked back to about fifteen years ago. Through the years I have had quite a few clumps separated from the main plant, but have to admit that I have also neglected specimens that have broken off and left them to die, although some have landed on suitable landing spots which saved them from an untimely demise, albeit totally neglected.

Flower of Tillandsia intermedia
 Carl Christian Mez described T. intermedia in 1898 based on plants collected by Langlasse near Cihuatanejo, on the western, Pacific side of Mexico. Whereas most tillandsias produce offsets from the bases, this one is distinctly viviparous, which means that the new growths are produced from below the inflorescences. This habit is shared by only a few other species within the genus. Due to the behavior, plants have the potential to develop into curtain-like masses. In my place however, strong winds and typhoons break off the dangling growths which prevent the plant from gaining sufficient mass. Tillandsia intermedia is also quite unusual in growing pendently, but this is more of an artifact of the weight of the offsets pulling the older growths downward..

One of my larger clumps of T. intermedia

As plants prepare for flowering, the apical growth elongates substantially to give rise to the distichous pink bracts.

This photo clearly illustrates the viviparous habit, where the offsets appear from below the previous growth's inflorescence.




As with most tillandsias, this species thrives on neglect. My plants are in hanging baskets and have access to plenty of light throughout the day. During the dry season they barely get any water at all, which causes the already twisted leaves to curl even more. They receive no fertilizers either. From time to time the clumps are colonized by ants which definitely bring in nutrients, but this species does not seem to be an obligate myrmecophyte compared to, lets say, T. caput-medusae.


Further notes:

When I bought this plant, it was labeled as T. paucifolia, as some authors were of the opinion that T. intermedia, described in 1898, is conspecific with the earlier named T. paucifolia, which was described twenty years earlier. However, T. paucifolia is a totally different plant with sharper leaf blades and shorter inflorescences. For more information, please go here: http://www.bromeliad.org.au/pictures/Tillandsia/intermedia.htm

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