Tillandsia utriculata is native to Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, and the United States. The Giant Air Plant is the largest in the Bromeliaceae family, with some specimens reaching 3 feet in height with a spread of almost 3 feet. The foliage is silver/gray in color and the small, inconspicuous pale-yellow blooms are borne on 3 to 4 foot long spikes. It is found in the U.S. from Central Florida southward through the Florida Keys. Like other Bromeliads, it is an epiphyte, using the tree as its host and receiving nutrition from leaf litter and moisture from rain. Tillandsia utriculata is a threatened species due to overcollecting as well as habitat destruction in central and south Florida. It is also listed on the Florida endangered species list due to destruction by the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil.

There was a very large specimen in an oak tree in my neighbor's backyard, but unfortunately the last two extremely cold winters killed it.

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