Close Up Pictures of a Tillandsia fasciculata , or Cardinal Air Plant in Bloom!

Tillandsia fasciculata , or Quill-Leaf , Cardinal Air Plant , Wild Pineapple are a few names I have heard this native Florida Bromeliad called. These grow wild all over the neighborhood, and while I was walking my property I came across this fallen limb that was full of them. I brought them back to the house and have been taking care of them since. These 2 have been blooming for weeks now. 1 is further along than the other. The interesting thing is that once these are done blooming they die. There are several new pups growing on this same limb so we will see if I can mange to grow the babies to bloom. Here are a few close ups of the plants growing on the limb I found.

Encyclia tampensis or Butterfly orchids in Spike

I have an update on the clusters of Encyclia tampenisis , or Butterfly Orchids that are growing on my oak tree. While I was at my property exploring I took a few pictures of the orchids growing. It was a little difficult due to there location, but if you click on the first picture and look I can count at least 5 spikes in that 1 clump. Along with some new ferns opening up. This is very exciting for me because I have never seen them bloom before. The first neighborhood picture is across from my property, and the second shows the back of my property. Then I have a few other shots from the neighborhood of a few Cardinal Air Plants in bloom.

Tillandsia fasciculata , Tillandsia utriculata Air Plants

I have some of these Tillandsia fasciculata , or Quill-Leaf , Cardinal Air Plant , Wild Pineapple are some of the names I have heard these plants called growing on my property. The first shot has it in bloom with a bright red flower, the second shows 1 with pups attached to it. The third shot has a variety of air plants in bloom growing on an old live oak. How many blooms can you see. The last is a different air plant. This 1 is called Tillandsia utriculata , Giant Air Plant or Giant Wild Pine. It is one of the largest species of bromeliads in Florida. This plant grows a huge stalk out of the middle and as the bloom begins, the plant starts to die. Sadly, these plants are declining due to the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil attack, as well as habitat destruction and some collecting, and are now listed as endangered species by the state of Florida.