Tillandsia xiphioides
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Tillandsia xiphioides
Ken Woods.
Ken Woods, long flower spike form.
Ken Woods, short flower spike form.
Ken Woods, Rio Misque from Bolivia (by D.B.).
Tillandsia xiphioides ssp. xiphioides var. tafiensis
Ken Woods 06/09.
Tillandsia xiphioides var. lutea
Ken Woods 01/10.
KW, larger clone 01/10.
Ken Woods 02/11.
Peter Tristram.
Len Colgan.
Comments from Len Colgan:
"In response to your query about the habitat of T. xiphioides var lutea:
I did not really get very close to the habitat in either of my expeditions to Bolivia, although I did travel through the west and centre of the correct province, Chuquisaca.
It grows on the eastern side of Chuquisaca, at a latitude roughly halfway between the general area where the different coloured forms of T. streptocarpa and T. duratii live and the southern province of Tarija. But that is a long way!
It is also at a lower altitude (of about 1300m) than most of the forms of T. xiphioides that I personally collected, but about the same altitude as the different coloured forms of T. streptocarpa and T. duratii (which grow much further north).
I obtained a specimen from Lotte (the discoverer) many years ago. I think Derek got his original plant from her also. Whereas Derek managed to flower his plant, my inflorescence aborted for some reason. But it gave me a number of offsets that were progressing beautifully until our 47C heat wave early this year. The large clump got badly burnt, and is only now showing signs of some recovery, albeit with 90% of the leaves removed and plants separated. I am sure I gave one or two people a pup at some earlier time.
Lotte described the colour of the petals as “yellow”. However, having seen Derek’s plant, plus some in Europe, and now Peter's pictures attached, I would say that the colour varies from creamy-white through to creamy-yellow. Cream is probably an average description. Above extra picture is from my “Bolivian Tillandsias” presentation for everyone’s benefit. I think the petal colour is a bit “creamier” (Photoshop not used!!). Tillandsia xiphioides var. prolata
Len Summer's plant, from Len Colgan 01/12. Photo Chris Larson.
