Ed: See also unregistered cultivar? / hybrid? temporarily called 'Red Dragon'.

Chris Larson 07/11.

Peter Tristram 10/14.

Nanette Collingwood 08/16

Chris Larson ... "Not often seen in colour & flower. Taken by me at Bob Hudson's place during the World Bromeliad Conference."
Peter Tristram ... "The variety 'van hyningii' isn't often posted and is slow growing plant. I gather it is not easy to find in Mexico now as the canyon where it grew is now a dam. Pam might know more. I have a few forms and Chris and I found a monster in Colombia at Gruber’s."

Bob Hudson 06/19

Chris Larson 08/19 "From Asia, probably tissue culture."

Chris Larson 05/21

Chris Larson 07/22

Pamela Koide Hyatt 07/22

Pamela Koide Hyatt ... "Bird Rock Tropicals, 07/22.
Someone got promoted to SPECIES status! Tillandsia ionantha var. van hyningii was first described by Mulford B. Foster in 1957. Foster discovered the now Tillandsia vanhyningii (pronounced van-HIGH-nin-gee-eye) in the Sumidero Canyon of Chiapas, Mexico, growing along steep limestone cliffs in large formations. At first glance, Foster was sure it was a new species, but after blooming and observing the plant, it appeared the have the same composition as many other forms of ionantha. In a paper last year, Carlos Beutelspacher and Roberto Garcia-Martinez argued for the reclassification of Tillandsia ionantha var. van hyningii by elevating it to species status due to the caluescent growth habit not observed in other varietals or cultivars of ionantha. The name change was accepted, and so Tillandsia vanhyningii is born. The name, which can be difficult to say, honors long time Tillandsia collectors, the Van Hynings."

Tillandsia ionantha var. zebrina
See also T. 'Zebrina'.
In 1994 this was included into the definition of T. ionantha - from a Botanists view it fits within the range of ionantha.
Shortly after, it was included in the Cultivar Registry as T. 'Zebrina' by Derek Butcher
as there were sufficient horticultural differences to warrant "keeping the name alive".
Now listed as T. 'Zebrina' a cv. of ionantha.

Peter Tristram 08/11

Bob Hudson 12/12

Greg Aizlewood 09/14. Variegated form

From BCR ... "'Rosita' = cv. of ionantha, Isley?, <1987
(Mexico - always red - to 10 cm. diameter) - Koide said, "The plant referred to as 'Rosita' is the same as Tillandsia ionantha 'Stricta' - This variation is endemic to one location in Oaxaca, Mexico. Red throughout its entire life and has very narrow, nearly filiform leaf blades". Now known as ionantha v. stricta (Koide)."

Peter Tristram 10/12.

Chris Larson 11/16 ex. Isley

Bob Hudson 01/17 "'Rosita' growing in a spiral leaf pattern"

Peter Tristram ... "This is what I got as T. ionantha Rosita in the mid '80s and what Chris sold (still sells) as v. stricta a few years ago. Very similar if not identical. I have Rositas from a few sources and they vary only in size but the overall shape and leaf density is pretty consistent, and reddness if grown bright. Chris has sold some that look like larger 'v. stricta' too.
Great plants anyway - never have too many! Too many ionantha forms to name them all!"
(Ed. - Note Pamela’s BSI Journal article of 1993, it says that the then proposed T. ionantha var stricta was created to apply to the previously named T. ionantha Rosita.)

Bob Hudson

Gary May 11/19 as Rosita

Gary May 11/19 var. stricta 'Silver Leaf; and 'Green Leaf'

Gary May ... (Rosita) "This came from Bob Hudson about 5yrs ago. Very dark, noticably heavier than other ionantha of similar size. Really slow growing but it was worth the wait. H 11cm, W total 9cm, W bulb 4cm. Stiff leaf. 40mins north of Brisbane, almost all day under 1% galvanised birdwire."
Gary May ... (var. stricta) "In my collection there are quite a few variations in the ionantha v. stricta group. Size, colour, degree of leaf recurve etc. Here are my medium size, green leaf and silver leaf. Approaching flowering the green leaf remains light green whereas the silver leaf turns a pleasant deep red."

John Olsen 11/21

Harold Kuan 12/19 as ionantha "Curly Top Batch"

Harold Kuan ... "Just sharing this very festive-looking T. ionantha 'Curly Top batch'. Started flowering about November.
As soon as it flowered I managed to capture it with the good camera, but realised that unfortunately when it had three flowers poking through I only had time to capture it with my phone.
A lovely little plant! I remember Chris telling me that this was a particular clone he picked out of a batch of ionantha 'Curly Top' – hence the description."
Bob Hudson ... "Good evening Harold. See the BCR for photos of the real 'Curly Top'. Your plant may be T. Curly Leaf ?"
Chris Larson ... "This plant also goes by the name T. ionantha Mexican ex Lau. Collectors Corner imported this batch prior to my employment - Brent was supervising the import if I am correct.
T. ionantha Curly Top was selected as the best from this batch that show the particular trait and sent to Bob Hudson. I later isolated another few that show the same trait as T. Curly Top and have been propagating these. These may or may not be vegetative propagations from the original T. Curly Top.
Under certain conditions the T. Curly top sends up pups which are very flat. For a while I thought this was different and some crept out as T. Flat Top - due to people asking for them - but these all ended up being T. Curly Top.
So Harold, yours are normally tagged T. ionantha Mexico ex Lau. Many will have these forms in their collection. I think that Bertie Flower also got some accross to NZ in the '00s
I really like this form."
Chris Larson ... "BTW. The little scurfy T. ionantha Mexico which is available in the nearest Bunnings to you is a great example of the Registrars problem. (This is different plant from the form T. ionantha Mexico ex Lau that Harold showed above.) When it is grown in a similar latitude to Cairns but at around 450m altitude, it grows to a similar size to what we sell it - forms small offsets to approx 2-3 cm. But if it is grown nearby, at sea level - same as Cairns, it doesn't flower readily, and reaches a size similar to T. ionantha var maxima (approx 15 cm). T. ionantha var maxima is the name of the large plant that comes from Huamelula and prior to be being described was called T. ionantha Huamelula. (I refuse to use this name for this plant, as it is very different to the forms of T. ionantha var maxima that Bird Rock Tropicals & Rainforest Flora sells.) I've noticed some eBayers selling clusters of this plant (supplied by Collectors Corner) as "T. ionantha Mexico Mini" with each plant in the cluster being 10 to 15 mm - the vendors detailing it in the associated blurb as a small form - they haven't a clue, as they buy small plants and they sell small plants. This plant is around all over the world as T. ionantha Huamelula from CC's supplier - a name which CC refuse to use for the reasons stated.
These are the things that need to be taken into account as Registrar, and why (I think) Derek throws up his hands. Good luck Geoff! It is a big call in assessing each request for registration."

Chris Larson 12/20 "Curly Top Batch"

Chris Larson ... "This one has been around for nearly 30 years. Imported from Alfredo Lau way back when. Out of this batch came the lovely little T. ionantha Curly Top (which also had the name T. ionantha Flat Top for a while - sorry, my mistake).
Sometimes there is an orangey shade to them, other times it is dark, burnt, red - all dependent on culture. This time it is something else and, as with some Mexican T. ionantha, they mostly have this nearly exserted bracts - sorry for the terminology - similar to T. ionantha var stricta amongst others."

Dale Dixon 11/20 as var. Mexico

Dale Dixon ... "I thought my T. ionantha were finished for the year then I looked up. I bought this one with Var. 'Mexican' on the tag. It’s a lovely vibrant red. Does this one have a registered name?"
Chris Larson ... "This is the tag on Collectors Corner's polypaks. So my assumption is that's what we are looking at. It certainly looks like that plant.
We receive this as T. 'Huamelula'. I have seen it on an international web site as such. Someone on that forum said it is not - and I agree. I sent a pic to Pam Koide-Hyatt, she agrees it is not.
Others that have been to Huamelula (on Pams tours) say this form is not there.
T. Huamelula is now T. ionantha var maxima. But as it has little similarity in appearance to this we cannot use this name. I refuse to use the name Huamelula.
So we sell it as T.ionantha Mexico."
Dale Dixon ... "I got it from a private collector in Sydney so don’t know the provenance. It’s certainly different to other ionantha that I have and bears some resemblance to 'Mayan Flame' on BinA. What do you think."
Derek Butcher ... "You could try matching it up on the BCR listings. Under Advanced Search, type "Ionantha Group" in the Notes section--and up come 145 cultivar names, which include T. ionantha hybrids."
Ed. ... "See also 2nd row of pics at top of this page "var maxima", and Chris Larson's comments in 'Tillandsia ionantha Mexico Ex. Lau.' section above.
T. 'Huamelula', T. ionantha var maxima, T. ionantha Mexico Ex. Lau, T. ionantha Mexico (in Aust), and others need to be considered when looking at these labels."

About Time BCR=#11048, photo: Bill TimmCuicatlan x Pine Cone, Florida

Agua Blanca BCR=#10283, photo: Derek Butcherionantha x magnusiana, Mexico

Amaranto BCR=#14342, photo: P.Pacharapongcapitata (orange form) x ionantha, Thailand

Amazing BCR=#11976, photo: Paul Isleystreptophylla x Fuego, California

Apalala Regal BCR=#14042, photo: P.PacharapongRoja x Pole, Thailand

Apretado BRT BCR=#14772, photo: Pamela Koide-Hyatt. Bird Rock Tropicals. Slow growing and therefore large at flowering. 12cm high x 6cm wide

Apretado RFI BCR=#14773, photo: Chris Larson. 1cm to 5cm high x 2cm wide. Rainforest Flora Inc. (See discussions this website 'Apretado')

Aunt Betty BCR=#13369, photo: Andrew Flowerionantha "rubra" x hondurensis

Aurea Grandisname used by Isley before changing to Sumo Size White

Baby Domingo BCR=#16497, photo: Jesrey ValenciaFuego x Ron, Hawaii

Beacon BCR=#13693, photo: Xiao Kong Cone Head x Fuego, China

spare

Big Hawaiian BCR=#14921, photo: Jerry Domingo Apretado BRT x ionantha v. maxima, Hawaii

Big Kahuna BCR=#15483, photo: Jerry Domingo Peach x ionantha v. maxima, Hawaii

Bill Paylen BCR=#12158, photo: Paul Isleyionantha x caput-medusae, California

Black Beauty BCR=#14120, photo: C. Sanchez-Mariscal Philippines

Black Marmalade BCR=#14632, photo: Woody Kaotun Thailand

Bravo BCR=#15936, Thailand, photo: Chris Larson

Brilliant Spring BCR=#13959, photo: P.Pacharapongionantha (Mexico) x Showtime, Thailand

Cai Mei-Jin BCR=#14481, photo: Hao Chu(rodrigueziana X brachycaulos) x ionantha, Taiwan

Celtic Spire BCR=#10678, photo: Dennis CathcartDruid x ionantha var. van-hyningii, Florida

Charon's Crystal BCR=#14086, photo: P. Pacharapongionantha (Mexico No.5001) x Mali Dofitas, Thailand

Charon's Gem BCR=#14085, photo: P. Pacharapong, Pachara Orchids cv. ionantha (Mexico), Mexico/Thailand

Charon Red Scarlet BCR=#14234, photo: P. Pacharapongionantha (Mexico No.5108) x bradeana (Costa Rica), Thailand

Charon Sparkle BCR=#14357, photo: P. Pacharapongcapitata var. guzmanioides x ionantha (Mexico No.4760), Thailand

Christmas Flame BCR=#13233, photo: Pachara Orchids Found in Mexico.

Christmas Pink BCR=#13221, photo: Jenny Lynn N.Ryan, Australia

Chu Jui-Sui BCR=#14226, photo: Hao Chuionantha var. vanhyningii x Fuego, Taiwan

Concentric BCR=#15063, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand

Cone Head BCR=#8035, photo: Tillandsia International. Seems different to other pics on BCR ?? (See also this website 'ConeHead')

(Not?) Cone Head BCR=#8035, photo: Val Honeywood, Aus. Koide said, "Another large cultivar of unknown origin" (See 'Hand Grenade', 'Pine Cone' and 'Huamelula').

Corinne BCR=#8043, photo: Pamela Koide HyattNat. Hyb. circinnatoides x ionantha, found in Mexico

Corsa BCR=#10141, photo: Derek Butcher A form being distributed by the company Corsa SA in Europe and quite widespread and named in Australia

Crown Ruby BCR=#13077, photo: Andy Tanjalisco-monticola x ionantha, Malaysia

Cupcake BCR=#13232, photo: Andrew Flower Andrew Flower in New Zealand

Curly Fountain BCR=#15727, photo: Kelvin Tan Cultivated in Singapore.

Curly Leaf BCR=#15693, photo: Chris Larson Asia, imported to Aust.

Curly Top BCR=#10459, photo: Derek Butcher Bob Hudson

Desert Lights BCR=#14948, photo: Vic Przetock Mexico/W.A.

Domingo's Pretty BCR=#16403, photo: Jerry Domingoionantha var. vanhyningii x brachycaulos, Mexico

Domingo's Stripes BCR=#16647, photo: Jerry Domingoionantha var. vanhyningii x ionantha (Mexico), Hawaii

Dragon Blood BCR=#14194, photo: C. Sanchez-Mariscal Philippines. See also Dragon Fire

Dragon Fire BCR=#14187, photo: C. Sanchez-MariscalFuego x Black Beauty, Philippines

Dream Boy BCR=#13692, photo: Xiao Kong China

Druid BCR=#8060, photo: Dennis Cathcart ionantha albino form, Mexico

Emperador BCR=#14039, photo: P. PacharapongMaria Teresa L. x Mayan Feathers, Thailand

Fire Bug BCR=#10945, photo: Bill TimmHumbug x Fuego, Florida

Fire Fountain BCR=#10714, photo: Dennis Cathcartcapitata (yellow form) x Druid, Costa Rica

Fire Up BCR=#13730, photo: Jasmine Koh Singapore

Flare Up BCR=#10947, photo: Bill TimmBilly Boy x Fuego, Florida

Fuchsia Sensation BCR=#13789, photo: P. Pacharapongionantha x Roja, Thailand

Fuego BCR=#8091, photo: Pachara Orchids from Guatemala, leaves stiffer than v. stricta

Fuego Yellow BCR=#12733, photo: Hiroyuki Takizawa see JBS Japan 2014

Gigante BCR=#10142, photo: Jane Wu from Isley 2010 seems similar to Apretado etc

Hand Grenade BCR=#8105, photo: Dennis Cathcart from Honduras – Cathcart

Haselnuss BCR=#8107, photo: Jane Wu name used in Germany - ?Peanut

. spare, photo: .

Hawaiian Frost BCR=#15482, photo: Jerry Domingo Hawaii. (grex sibling to Hawaiian Orange ?)

Hawaiian Lavender BCR=#13867, photo: Jerry Domingo Hawaii

Hawaiian Orange BCR=#15481, photo: Jerry Domingo Hawaii. (grex sibling to Hawaiian Frost ?)

Hawaiian Peach BCR=#15158, photo: Jerry Domingoionantha v. van-hyningii x ionantha v. van-hyningii, Hawaii

Hawaiian Red BCR=#13678, photo: Jerry Domingo Hawaii

Hawaiian Vacation BCR=#16667, photo: Jerry Domingoionantha(Mexico) x intermedia, Hawaii

Hedgehog BCR=#12789, photo: Seth Charoenwong From Thailand

Huamelula BCR=#8116, photo: Pamela Koide-Hyatt now = v. maxima

Holm's Volcano BCR=#13195, photo: Tanja Richterionantha var. ionantha x delicata, Germany

Ice Sorbet BCR=#15066, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand

Icy Elf BCR=#15065, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand

Icy Elf BCR=#15065, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand

Jett's Champion BCR=#15454, photo: Claudio D Sanchez Philippines

John's Clone BCR=#11524, photo: Pamela Koide Hyattionantha x seleriana, California

La Muerte BCR=#13390, photo: Jane Wu China

Lemon Sherbet BCR=#13954, photo: Andy Tanvariegated sport of x rectifolia, Malaysia

Little Thing BCR=#12453, photo: Eric Goudaionantha x abdita/brachycaulos, Netherlands

Little Velvet BCR=#14150, photo: Woody Kaotun Thailand

. spare, photo: .

Magic Blush BCR=#8164, photo: Derek Butcherionantha v. stricta x magnusiana

Maidens Blush BCR=#8165, photo: Derek Butcherionantha x Druid

Mandarin Gem BCR=#15064, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand

Maui BCR=#12639, photo: Terry Davis Probably from Bob Okasaki, Hawaii

. spare, photo: .

Maureen Green BCR=#11788, photo: Andrew Flowerbradeana x Rosita, New Zealand

Mayan Feathers BCR=#13768, photo: P PacharapongWild collected ionantha, Mexico

Mayan Flame BCR=#14084, photo: P. Pacharapong, Pachara Orchids Thailand

Mayan Pearl BCR=#14060, photo: P. Pacharapong Thailand

Mayan Regal BCR=#14061, photo: P. Pacharapong Thailand

Mayan Totem Pole BCR=#12648, photo: Pachara Orchids Thailand

Mayan Vase BCR=#14038, photo: P. Pacharapong Thailand

Methaporn Delight BCR=#14495, photo: Warairak Charoenchan Thailand. Variegated form of ‘Druid’

Mexican Pink BCR=#13170, photo: Seth Charoenwong Thailand.

Mindset BCR=#15085, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand.

Mini Q BCR=#15854, photo: Mi Mi Lee Apretado F2, Taiwan.

Minnie BCR=#10143, photo: Derek Butcher named by Bob Hudson of Cairns. AU, for a very small form selected from a seed batch. Flowers at 3cm tall

Minnie White BCR=#11748, photo: Bob Hudson Named by Bob Hudson. Has been growing and stable for several years now(BH).

Monstrose BCR=#12641, photo: Paul Isley By Isley? links to Gary Hammer as Pachara Predator and the German ‘Kristate’?

Nick Mavrikas BCR=#10083, photo: Edwin HoPink Panther x Hand Grenade, Florida

Orange BCR=#15880, photo: Hiroyuki Takizawa Mexico

Oriental Holy Fruit BCR=#16591, Haselnuss x Druid. photo: Zhijian WuChina

Oriental Red BCR=#14708, Fuego x Druid. photo:BCRChina

. spare, photo: .

Pachara Predator BCR=#12645, photo: Pachara Orchids Monstrose

Pachara Red Phoenix BCR=#13076, photo: Patpong PacharapongRoja x ionantha (Mexico No.9576), Thailand

Pachara Red Velvet BCR=#12623, photo: Patpong PacharapongRoja x Totem Pole, Thailand

Pachara Solarish BCR=#11196, photo: Pachara OrchidsWild collected ionantha, Mexico

Pachara Tropicana BCR=#13094, photo: Pachara Orchids(left) Xiao Kong(right, at flowering)velutina x Pachara Solarish, Thailand

Peach BCR=#8219 from Taxco Mexico

Peanuts BCR=#8221 = v. stricta fa. fastigiata

Penito BCR=#8224, photo: large form similar to ‘Apretado’, from Bromelifolia, Guatemala. (See also this website 'Penito')

Pine Cone BCR=#8229, photo: Dennis Cathcart from Cathcart

Pink Beauty BCR=#14915, photo: Chris Larson from Asia

Pink Champagne BCR=#8230 ionantha x Druid. N.Ryan Qld, photo Bruce Dunstan

Pink Delight BCR=#16399 Qld, photo Pam Butler

Pink Fantasia BCR=#15420, photo: Vic PrzetockiDruid x ionantha 'Mexicana', Western Australia

Pinkie BCR=#10946, photo: Bill TimmPeanuts x praschekii, Florida

Pleiades BCR=#12609, photo: Seth Charoenwongionantha seed, Thailand

Premium Red BCR=#15067, photo: Pachara Orchids Mexico/Thailand

Pyramid BCR=#12731, photo: Paul IsleyIsley

Queen's Trinket BCR=#11380, photo: Pamela Koide Hyattflabellata x ionantha, California

Red Bug BCR=#10085, photo: Bill TimmHumbug x ionantha 'rubra',Florida

Red Burst BCR=#11544, photo: Andy Tanionantha var. stricta x fasciculata, Malaysia

Red Cat BCR=#16511, photo: Bruce Dunstanionantha x seleriana, Queensland

Red Dragon - unregistered 07/23 cv? of var hyningii? Photo: Chris Larson

. spare, photo: .

. spare, photo: .

. spare, photo: .

Red Impala BCR=#13806, photo: P. PacharapongRoja x Totem Pole, Thailand

Red Rock BCR=#13391, photo: Joe Zhang China

Red Ruby BCR=#16410, photo: Kevin Tan Thailand

Renate BCR=#8253, photo: -/Chris Larson variegated form – Other names given which seem only to be a variation in the actual variegation such as ‘variegata’, albomarginata’, and ‘Yuko Johnson’ in Taiwan for an almost albino See T. Renate on this web site for discussion.

Ron BCR=#12909, photo: Paul Isley Isley

Rosita BCR=#8259, photo: Bob Hudson = ionantha v. stricta

Rubra BCR=#8263, photo: Andrew Flower from Guatemala – more soft open rosette with a fluffy silver appearance

Ruby Black BCR=#14631, photo: Woody Kaotun Thailand

Scarlet Rose BCR=#13952, photo: Grant Paterson Qld – Grant Patterson

Small Mexican BCR=#8283, photo: Pachara Orchids from Alfredo Lau in the early 1990’s and widespread at least in Australia & New Zealand. As the name implies, flowers when quite small. Sometimes labelled 'Mexican Lau'

Seth Firecracker BCR=#13169, photo: Seth Charoenwongcapitata (rubra) x ionantha (Honduras), Thailand

Seth Red Wine BCR=#12601, photo: Seth CharoenwongHondurensis x Fuego, Thailand

Seth Ruby BCR=#13276, photo: Seth Charoenwongcapitata (rubra) x ionantha (rubra)

Shirley Evans BCR=#10088, photo: Bill TimmDruid x schiedeana, Florida

Silver Surprise BCR=#8280, photo: Jenny Lynnionantha var. van-hyningii x ?, Queensland

Splendid Journey BCR=#15886, photo: Mi Mi LeeApretado RFI x Sumo Size White, Taiwan

Succulent Form BCR=#15881, photo: Hiroyuki Takizawa Mexico

Summer Coral BCR=#14062, photo: P. Pacharapongvelutina x Pachara Solarish

Sumo Size White BCR=#10144, photo: Ron Jell A large white flowered form named by Isley(originally as 'Aurea Grandis')

Sun Bright BCR=#14547, photo: P. PacharapongRoja x Totem Pole, Thailand

Supattra's Glitter BCR=#14751 P.Pacharapong. Thailand

Supattra's Glitter BCR=#14751 P.Pacharapong. Thailand

Super Boy BCR=#15487, photo: Steve Molnar (sometimes as "Big Boy")?

Super Frost BCR=#15487, photo: Jerry DomingoHawaii

Tall Velvet BCR=#8297 name from Tillandsia International

Thai Silk BCR=#14151, photo: Woody KaotunLittle Velvet x funckiana, Thailand

Timm's Celtic Twist BCR=#11054, photo: Bill TimmDruid x Timm's Twister, Florida

Timm's Outburst BCR=#10948, photo: Dennis CathcartDomingensis x Fuego, Florida

Timm's Royal Treasure BCR=#10943, photo: Dennis Cathcartionantha ? x ?, Florida

Tinca Fire BCR=#8308, photo: S. Littlefieldcv ionantha, Florida

Totem Pole BCR=#10145, photo: Benedict Tay from Isley – a large form similar to 'Apretado'. Also known as 'Fuego Totem Pole'

Truchlik Unregistered ionantha from Germany ex. Peter Tristram, photo: Bruce Dunstan. See T. Truchlik this website.

Tuti Fruiti BCR=#13815, photo: Andrew Flower NZ Andrew Flower

Two Tone BCR=#12642, photo: Paul Isley Possibly a Sport of 'Fuego' from Isley

Uncle Vuth Pearl BCR=#14630, photo: Woody Kaotun Thailand

Vanilla Signature BCR=#14818, photo: Woody Kaotunionantha x (ionantha x brachycaulos), Thailand

Vesta BCR=#13274, photo: Seth Charoenwong(brachycaulos x concolor) x Fuego

Victoria BCR=#8325, photo: Pachara Orchidsionantha x brachycaulos, Nat Hyb and remakes

Victoria Reverse BCR=#11787, photo: Andrew Flowerbrachycaulos x ionantha, New Zealand

Wait N'C BCR=#8328, photo: Bill Timmionantha var. van-hyningii x Druid

White Knight BCR=#13932, photo: Bob Hudson From Holm in Germany. Was known as ‘Alba’

Wild Thing Unregistered in 01/22, photo: James Lester, Australia

Xiamen Sunshine BCR=#16621, photo: Yu Muvariegated Apretado RFI, China

Xianxi Treasure BCR=#16646, photo: Shen Ming Liuionantha (green) x streptophylla, Taiwan

Zebrina BCR=#8340, photo: Dennis Cathcart as 'Zebrina Mex' a cultivar with light cross markings on the leaves

Tillandsia ionantha; Its Varieties, Forms, and Cultivars by Pamela Koide in J. Brom.Soc. 43: 160-3. 1993
Tillandsia ionantha is one of the most common and interesting species of the genus Tillandsia. One of the most delightful of the miniatures, its tufting, silvery rosette reaches only 1½ to 4 inches in height. The leaves, covered with silvery scales, are seldom over 2 inches long. It is rather easy to grow and adapts well to our outdoor southern California climate. If left to grow into a cluster, this species will form a large ball in a very short time. Some people have grown these clumps to the size of a basketball, a spectacle when the whole cluster blushes red at bloom time. The common name for this species is "Blushing Bride," referring to the red blush during anthesis. Although several forms and varieties are available to the collector, there are only two varieties recognized in Harry Luther's AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF BROMELIAD BINOMIALS, but three in Lloyd Kiff's A DISTRIBUTIONAL CHECK-LIST OF THE GENUS TILLANDSIA. Descriptions of the varieties, forms, and cultivars follow:
Tillandsia ionantha var. ionantha is the most common and available variety. It was described in 1855 by Jules Emile Planchon. This variety is the most widespread, growing from Mexico to Costa Rica at altitudes of 450 to 5,000 feet. It varies somewhat in appearance from country to country, as well as within each country. It grows in dense masses in moist forests, as well as on exposed deciduous trees and rocks in arid regions. It can vary from silvery color with thin leaves, to green and lush, with thick, succulent-type leaves. When it starts to flower, the entire plant turns a brilliant rosy red. The narrow, tubular flowers are large for the size of the plant, topping the foliage by 1 to 1 ½ inches. The petals are vivid purple.
Tillandsia ionantha var. vanhyningii was described by Mulford Foster in 1957. It is endemic to one region in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico. It is lithophytic, growing on vertical limestone cliffs overhanging Rio Grijalva. This variety is caulescent (with distinct stems). The leaf color is a silvery pale green to white. In habitat, it produces large mats of rosettes. When the plant blooms, the foliage will flush bright pink, and produce the same vivid purple flowers as variety ionantha. Pups emerge from the base of the old mature leaves to form new leads. As this species is geographically isolated and morphologically and ecologically distinct, it fits Luther's criteria of a subspecies.
Tillandsia ionantha var. zebrina, the third variety listed in Kiff's book, was described by Bert Foster in 1982. Harry Luther thinks that this should be considered a form and not a true botanical variety. It was collected in Guatemala and differs from the typical species in its beautifully banded leaf blades.
Tillandsia ionantha var. scaposa is the synonym of the species Tillandsia kolbii. T. kolbii was described by Walter Till and Stefan Schatzl, in 1981. The species has little in common morphologically with the species T. ionantha. It occurs at much higher elevations in pine-oak cloud forests. It is characterized by a scapose, occasionally compound inflorescence. Although the type locality is Oaxaca, Mexico, it is found most commonly in Guatemala.
Tillandsia ionantha `Druid' was introduced in 1984. This is a Mexican variation of T. ionantha var. ionantha that appears normal until it blooms. It then turns an unusual yellow color and produces flowers with white petals. I have seen numerous examples of this phenomenon in the genus Tillandsia and have always considered them to represent an albino form. Every generation of offsets continues to produce the same colorless inflorescence and flowers, indicating a fixed genetic trait.
T. ionantha `Rosita', `Peanut', and `Apretado' are cultivars mentioned in Paul Isley's book TILLANDSIA. The plant referred to as `Rosita' is the same as T. ionantha "Stricta," so called by several commercial tillandsia nurseries. This variation is endemic to one region in Oaxaca, Mexico. It is an isolated population found growing on oak trees at approximately 6500 feet elevation with T. fuchsii var. fuchsii. Other plants growing in the vicinity are the peach form of T. capitata, T. fasciculata, T. leucolepis, and the orchid Epidendrum parkinsonianum. It is red during its entire life, and has very narrow, nearly filiform leaf blades. During anthesis, it turns a brighter, brilliant red, and the flower petals are purple. I consider this a distinct variety and propose the name T. ionantha var. stricta.

T. ionantha var. stricta hort. ex Koide, var. nov.
A typo T. ionantha Planchon sed cui similis foliis pertenuibus et perpetuo rubris differt.
Type: Mexico: Oaxaca; 6 km east of El Camaron, elev. ca.. 2000 m. Epiphytic on Quercus sp. Koide & Schuster s.n. legit., April 1982. Flowered in cultivation, P. Koide s.n. (SEL, holotype; US, MEXU, isotypes).

T. ionantha `Peanut' is actually a form of the above-mentioned variety. It grows within the population of T. ionantha var. stricta and appears rather randomly. It, too, is red throughout its life, but morphologically different. Instead of growing onto an open rosette, its leaves stay erect, close together, and very tight. This characteristic is continued in offspring as well as in young seedlings. On account of its distinctive growth habit it is described below as forma fastigiata. According to H. Luther a "forma" is used to designate biologically trivial variations of a species that occur sporadically within a natural population. If these variants occur in a cultivated population, they should be designated a cultivar.

T. ionantha var. stricta forma fastigiata, Koide, forma nov.
A typo T. ionantha var. stricta Koide sed cui similis foliis fastigiatis differt.
Type: Mexico: Oaxaca; 6 km east of El Camaron, elev. ca.. 2000 m. Epiphytic on Quercus sp., growing intermingled with typical T. ionantha var. stricta, Koide & Schuster s.n. legit., April 1982.
Flowered in cultivation, P. Koide s.n. (SEL, holotype; US, MEXU, isotypes).

The last named, `Apretado' ; appears to be a variation of the Mexican T. ionantha var. ionantha. I have on occasion, found specimens of it growing in Mexico. They seem to grow larger than the typical species, and the leaves are succulent, slightly stiffer and more erect. They grow quite large as they are reluctant to bloom.

OTHER CULTIVARS
T. ionantha `Rubra'. This name is used to describe a cultivar sold by Guatemalan nurseries, It has semisucculent green leaves, which recurve from an open rosette. When it blooms it turns a light pink-rose color, and has purple flowers. I do not know the exact distribution of this plant.
T. ionantha `Fuego'. Another variation sold by Guatemalan nurseries, is red throughout its life, but differs from the Mexican T. ionantha var. stricta in that the leaf blades are somewhat stiffer and more upright. The rosette is closed. It has purple flowers.I do not know its distribution.
T. ionantha `Huamelula' was recently brought into cultivation from Mexico. It grows on lava rocks on the west coast of Oaxaca. The plants are very large in comparison to the typical species. A single specimen can be 3-4 inches in diameter. It has beautiful green leaves, forming a symmetrical rosette. During anthesis it turns a vivid pink-orange color, and produces large purple flowers.
T. ionantha `Peach' is a variation found near Taxco, Mexico. It is more typical of the species T. ionantha var. ionantha in size. The leaves are pale green until the plant blooms. Then they turn peach. The leaves are also softer than the typical species. It also produces purple flowers.
T. ionantha `Hand Grenade' is a very large form which resembles a hand grenade. According to Dennis Cathcart, this form is from Honduras and appears to have indeterminate growth. It is a sparse bloomer and occasionally will crest.
T. ionantha `Cone Head' - is another large cultivar. Its origin is not known to me.

To summarize, we can agree that the species Tillandsia ionantha is not only attractive but variable. As the species appearance changes, individuals have applied various names to distinguish one type from another and in so doing have created a nomenclatural nightmare. I hope that the names of these cultivars, varieties, and forms can be clarified before it becomes an impossible task.