Tillandsia fasciculata, commonly known as the giant airplant, giant wild pine, or cardinal airplant, is a species of bromeliad that is native to Central America, Mexico, the West Indies, northern South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, French Guiana, northern Brazil), and the southeastern United States (Georgia and Florida).Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesFlora of North America, cardinal airplant, Tillandsia fasciculata Swartz, Prodr. 56. 1788. Biota of North America Program, 2013 county range map Within the United States, this airplant is at risk of extirpation from the Mexican bromeliad weevil, Metamasius callizona. A related plant, Tillandsia utriculata, sometimes called the "wild pine", is endemic to the same areas.
Varieties and cultivars Four varieties are recognized:
Tillandsia fasciculata var. clavispica Mez – Florida, Cuba, southern Mexico, Cayman Islands Tillandsia fasciculata var. densispica Mez – Florida, southern and eastern Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Hispaniola Tillandsia fasciculata var. fasciculata – most of species range Tillandsia fasciculata var. laxispica Mez – central Mexico, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Cuba
Several cultivars have been named:BSI Cultivar Registry Retrieved 11 October 2009 Tillandsia 'Beauty' Tillandsia 'Casallena' Tillandsia 'Cathcart' Tillandsia 'Chevalieri' Tillandsia 'Chiquininga' Tillandsia 'Ervin Wurthmann' Tillandsia 'Florida' Tillandsia 'Hines Poth' Tillandsia 'Jalapa Fortin' Tillandsia 'Latas au Pair' Tillandsia 'Maria Teresa L.' Tillandsia 'Miz Ellen' Tillandsia 'Neerdie' Tillandsia 'Pachuca' Tillandsia 'Silver Bullets' Tillandsia 'Summer Dawn' Tillandsia 'Sybil Frasier' Tillandsia 'Tropiflora' Tillandsia 'Unamit' Tillandsia 'Verraco' Tillandsia 'Veteran'
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