Tillandsia caput-medusae

Tillandsia caput-medusae is a species of flowering plant in the bromeliad family, Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae.  Common names include octopus plant and medusa's head. An epiphyte native to Central America and Mexico, T. caput-medusae is a commonly cultivated bromeliad species. The thick, channeled, tapering and twisting leaves are up to  long and are covered in fine gray hairs. The rosette of leaves arise from an inflated pseudobulb. Pups are produced after blooming, as is usual with most Tillandsia species.

In a greenhouse, the plants can bloom from spring to early summer. The red inflorescences are usually unbranched or digitate. Bright violet flowers are about  long with the stamens exerted.

Cultivars
Tillandsia 'Bruce Aldridge' (T. caput-medusae × T. schiedeana)
Tillandsia 'Calum' (T. caput-medusae × T. brachycaulos)
Tillandsia 'Canina' (T. bulbosa × T. caput-medusae)
Tillandsia 'Cheryl' (T. caput-medusae × T. capitata 'Peach')
Tillandsia 'Como' (T. streptophylla × T. caput-medusae)
Tillandsia 'Gunalda' (T. concolor × T. caput-medusae)
Tillandsia 'Imbil' (T. brachycaulos × T. caput-medusae)
Tillandsia 'June Bug' (T. caput-medusae × T. bulbosa)
Tillandsia 'Litl Liz' (T. caput-medusae × T. streptophylla)
Tillandsia 'Panuco' (T. caput-medusae × T. durangensis)
Tillandsia 'Pomona' (T. caput-medusae × T. ionantha)
Tillandsia 'Sonoran Snow'
Tillandsia 'Veronica Orozco' (T. baileyi × T. caput-medusae)
Tillandsia 'Vicente Bacaya' (T. capitata × T. caput-medusae)

References

External links

caput-medusae
Category:Plants described in 1880
Category:Flora of Central America
Category:Flora of Mexico