Tillandsia aeranthos

Tillandsias are bromeliads, relatives of the Pineapple plant. Often referred to as "air plants," they are epiphytes that grow on trees but only use the trees for support - they are not parasites. Spanish Moss is another well known Tillandsia and grows in the southern USA, the northern limit for bromeliads. Bromeliads not only grow there, however, but down through Mexico, Central America and South America. I used to grow as many bromeliads as orchids but now only grow a few Tillandsias with my orchids.