Tillandsia achyrostachys (Morren and Baker, 1889) is a perennial plant in the genus Tillandsia.
The name straw-eared refers to the wrinkled cover leaves.
Description The plant is stemless, 40 cm high with a flower stalk, and the leaves form an erect rosette.
The leaf bases are oblong-ovate, 2–3 cm wide, 4–6 cm long, and gray scaly in colour.
The leaves are erect, slightly curved at the top, narrow lanceolate in shape, measuring 20 cm long and 2 cm wide above the base.
The flower stalk is upright, bare, 15 cm long, and 3 to 5 mm wide.
The inflorescence is a simple ear, flattened on both sides, ranging from 15 to 20 cm long and 2 cm wide.
The cover leaves are densely potted, oval, pointed, 4 cm long, 2 cm wide, membranous, and ashy, red or greenish red.
The flowers are upright, indoors, 4–6 cm long, and green, with protruding anthers. The petals form a narrow tube, 4 cm long. The cup leaves are lanceolate, long, and pointed.
It is reminiscent of a small T. califann in a flowering state.
Distribution Mexico, up to 2000 m.
Treatment The plant prefers moderate water but not too dry, light shade.
Cultivars Tillandsia 'Key Lime Sundae' Tillandsia 'Pink Chiffon'
References
BSI Cultivar Registry Retrieved 11 October 2009