Tillandsia
straminea grows as an epiphyte in many different locations in Peru
and Ecuador. The most common habitat is mountainous and xeric although
stands are also found in the Peruvian coastal desert. This species
often grows on cacti as well as on Acacia and Erythrina trees. While
there are a number of sympatric species, T. disticha and T. cacticola
are those most frequently encountered.
Mature
plants vary greatly in size. Small plants often bloom when the foliage
is about 23 cm. in width and height, while large specimens often grow
to be 35 cm. I currently have one specimen of T. straminea, aka "King
Stram," that measures a full 80 cm. in diameter, 60 cm. in height,
and tips the scales at 1 kilo!
Tillandsia
straminea is stemless and the leaves are polystichous. The narrowly
triangular blades are long, attenuate, and erect. As the leaves mature,
they gradually spread and begin to decurve. Old leaves deflex (hang
down). The leaves of Tillandsia straminea are longer, softer, and
more finely covered with spreading, cinereous trichomes than those
of the closely related species T. purpurea and T. cacticola. When
it is well grown, the white leaves feel like soft velvet.
When
the plant blooms it rewards the grower with a brightly colored, compound
inflorescence that produces a great many fragrant flowers. The spikes
are erect to spreading. The glabrous, tubular to subfusiform (almost
spindle-shaped) floral bracts vary among different plants from stramineous
to combinations of rose pink and mauve. The throats of the flared
petal blades are cream, the margins grape violet.
Tillandsia
straminea grows rapidly with favorable conditions. It flourishes in
well-lit outdoor locations where it receives sufficient moisture.
Tillandsia
straminea is not currently recognized by some authorities as a true
species but rather as an intermediate variety of T. purpurea. Although
the blooms of T. straminea are similar to those of T. purpurea, the
scape is much, taller. Also, the vegetative differences are significant
and consistent; the leaves of T. straminea are longer, softer, and
not as rigid. As with the many forms of T. latifolia, substantial
work needs to be done in organizing the taxonomy of this group of
species/varieties.
