Desc from S&D p916-8
Plant stemless, often propagating by scaly branching rhizomes, 2-4 dm high.
Leaves numerous in a dense fasciculate rosette, usually about equaling the inflorescence or shorter, densely and minutely subappressed-lepidote throughout;
Sheaths triangular-ovate, conspicuous, ferruginous;
Blades linear-subulate, filiform-attenuate.
Scape erect or ascending, stout;
Scape-bracts erect, involute, densely imbricate, lance-elliptic, filiform-laminate, subchartaceous, covered with pale appressed scales.
Inflorescence very densely digitate from a few spikes or sometimes reduced to a single densely polystichous-flowered spike, ovoid, rarely more than 7 cm long;
Primary bracts like the upper scape-bracts, subinvolucrate below the inflorescence, their sheaths slightly shorter than the lower axillary spikes, their blades mostly exceeding them;
Spikes sessile, elliptic or lanceolate in outline, acute, to 4 cm long, stout, slightly complanate.
Floral bracts densely imbricate, broadly ovate, broadly acute or obtuse, exceeding the sepals, carinate in the distichous-flowered spikes, coriaceous or subcoriaceous, nearly or quite even, densely lepidote, often red;
Flowers subsessile.
Sepals lanceolate, acute, 15-20 mm long, coriaceous, even glabrous or sparsely lepidote, carinate and much connate posteriorly;
Petals tubular-erect, ligulate, acute, to 4 cm long, violet;
Stamens and pistil exserted.
Capsule slenderly cylindric, acute, 25-35 mm long.
Type. Ruiz & Pavon s n (MA n v), Muna, Huanuco, Peru.
DISTRIBUTION. Terrestrial and epiphytic, 5-2416 m alt, Mexico and the Greater Antilles to Bolivia.
MEXICO. SINALOA: Mazatlan, 20 Jun 1849, Gregg 1227 (MO); Colomas, 16 Ju11897, Rose 1710 (US). NAYARIT: Maria Madre, Tres Marias Islands, May 1925, Mason 1723 (GH, US); Solis 54 (US). JALISCO: Bahia de Navidad, Autlan, Dec 1959, McVaugh & Koelz 1782-A (MICH); Puento San Pedro, 31 JuI 1960, Iltis, Koeppen & Iltis 590 (US, WIS). HIDALGO: Atotonilco el Grande to Los Venados, 15 Apr 1891, Maury 5713 (F, GH); Metzquititlan, 24 Mar 1947 ,Moore 2469 (BH, US); 4 Apr 1965, Rzedowski 19503 (IPMEX, US). VERA CRUZ: Orizaba, Botteri 522 (GH); 1855, Muller 1242 (GH); Valley of Cordoba, 10 Apr 1866, Bourgeau 2310 (BR, GH, L); 10 May 1866, 2010 (US); Jalapa, 5 Apl 1899, Pringle 8178 (GH, US); Aug 1901, Rose & Hay 319 (GH); Zacuapan, Apr 1913, Purpus 6419 (NY, UC, US); Mirador, May 1929, Skwarra s n (GH). MEXICO: Villa Guerrero, 18 Jan 1953, Matuda 27885 (MEXU, US). MICHOACAN: Monte de Santa Ignesa, 12 Mar 1898, Langlasse 32 (GH, US); Coalcoman to Santa Victoria, 25 May 1963, Rzedowski 16677 (IPMEX, US). GUERRERO, Mina; Tierras Blancas, 6 May 1937, Hinton 10142 (K). OAXACA: Coyula, 26 Apr 1895, Smith 551 (GH); Chiapas Apr 1957, Foster & Van Hyning 2964 (US); Acatlan, 21 Mar 1960, Van Hyning 6042 (US). TABASCO: Reforma, Balancan, May 1939, Matuda 3183 (GH, MEXU). CHIAPAS: Tuixcum, Motozintla, 16 May 1945, Matuda 5535 (GH, MEXU); Ocozocuautla, 11 Apr 1947 ,Moore 2565 (BH, GH); La Trinitaria, 26 Jan 1965, Breedlove & Raven 8386 (DS, US); 10 Jul 1966, Breedlove 14499 (DS). GUATEMALA. PETEN: Vaxactun, 22 Mar 1931, Bartlett 12286 (M1CH, US); 7 Apr 1931, 12512 (GH); La Libertad, Apr 1933, Lundel1 2470 (GH); 2838 (MICH); 2 Jun 1933, 3959 (MICH); Tikal, 1959, Lundell 15310 (LL, US); 1 Feb 1960, Contreras 569 (LL, US); 643 (LL). HUEHUETENANGO: Huehuetenango, 30 Dec 1940, Standley 81484 (F); 4 Jan 1941, 82427 (GH); San Rafael Petzal, 9 Jan 1941, Standley 83020 (GH); San Sebastian Huehuetenango, 13 Apr 1942, Steyermark 50464 (F, GH). ZACAPA: Rio Hondo, Sierra de las Minas, 11 Oct 1939, Steyermark 29633 (F, GH); Santa Rosalia, Steyermark 42267 (F, GH). JALAPA: Jalapa, 30 Nov 1939, Steyermark 32251 (F); Nov 1940, Standley 76553 (GH); 77487 (F). GUATEMALA: Pacaya, Mar 1890, Smith 1959 (GH, US); Moran, 25 Jan 1906, Kellerman 6730 (F, US). SACATEPEQUEZ: Duenas, 21 Jan 1939, Standley 63224 (F, GH). SANTA ROSA: Volcan Jumaytepeque, Jul 1893, Heyde & Lux 4640 (US); Cuilapa, 24 Nov 1940, Standley 78138 (GH). BRITISH HONDURAS. Hope Creek, 17 Apr 1929, Schipp 133 (GH, MICH, US). HONDURAS. COMAYAGUA: Siguatepeque, 1936, Yuncker, Dawson & Youse 5744 (GH, US). PARAISO: Zamorano, 8 Jul 1964, Gilmartin 953 (US); Tegucigalpa, 11 Jul 1964, Gilmartin 960 (US). SALVADOR. AHUACHAPAN: Laguna de las Ninfas, 28 Jan 1951, Rohweder 187-188 (HBG); 189 (B); 190-191 (HBG). SANTA ANA: Hacienda San Jose, 5 Feb 1951, Rohweder 192 (HBG); 18 Dec 1950, 193-195 (HBG); Volcan de San Vicente, 7 Mar 1951, Rohweder 196-197 (HBG). SAN VICENTE: Volcan de San Vicente, Mar 1922, Standley 21483 (US); 21552 (US). USULUTAN: Laguna de Alegria, 21 Jan 1951, Rohweder 177-186 (HBG). NICARAGUA. MATAGALPA: Matagalpa to El Tuma, 2 Apr 1961,Bunting & Licht 1020 (US); Santa Maria, 11 Jan 1969, Atwood 2085 (US). BOACO: Boaco, 30 Dec 1968, Atwood 1410 (US). JINOTEGA: Jinotega, 13 Jan 1965, Williams et al 27439 (EAP, F, US). COSTA RICA. GUANACASTE: Aguacaliente, Jun 1890, Tonduz 2617 (US); 10 Feb 1922, Greenman 5534 (GH, MO); Tilaran, Jan 1926, Standley & Valerio 44268 (US); 45005 (US); 45730 (US); 46096 (US); Hacienda Granadilla, 11 Feb 1930, Dodge & Thomas 6388 (F, GH); Tilaran, Feb 1930, Dodge & Thomas 7863 (GH); Dodge 7864 (F, GH). ALAJUELA: Volcan de Poas, Feb 1924, Standley 34750 (US); SanJuan de Naranjo, 7 Jun 1938, Smith H-739 (F). HEREDIA: San Isidro Coronado, Feb 1924, Alfaro 34007 (US). SAN JOSE: Alajuelita, Mar 1894, Smith 4967 (GH, US); San Jose, Oct 1908, Werckle 17473 (GH); Santa Maria de Dota, Dec 1925, Standley 42497 (US); San Sebastian, 23 Feb 1926, Standley 49348 (US). CARTAGO: Cerro de la Carpintera, Feb 1924, Standley 34506 (US); Dulce Nombre, 27 Feb 1924, Standley 35797 (US); Cartago, Sierra Talamanca, 13 Jul 1962, Haines 710 (US). PANAMA. BOCAS DEL TORO: Water Valley, 1940, Wedel 648 (GH, US). CHIRIQUI: El Boquete, 6 Mar 1911, Pittier 3010 (US); Feb 1918, Killip 3511 (US); 2 Apr 1938, Davidson 467 (F); Jul 1938, Woodson, Allen & Seibert 1128 (GH); Volcan, 10 Dec 1966, Duke 9172 (US). CUBA. LAS VILLAS: Pitajones, Mar 1912, Shafer 12290 (NY, US); San Bias, La Sierra, Apr 1928, Jack 6505 (GH); 6529 (GH, US); 7 Apr 1930, Jack 7838 (GH); Limones, 1 Feb 1930, Jack 7620 (BH, GH); Cumanayagua, Mar 1938, Senn s n (GH); Topes de Collantes, 8 Apr 1940, Acuna 11116 (F, SV, US). ORIENTE: La Perla, Feb 1911, Shafer 8672 (GH); Manocales, Sierra de Nipe, 21 Jul 1914, Ekman 2108 (S); Bayate, 30 Nov 1917,Ekman 9018 (GH, S); 9019 (S); Manzanillo, 18 Mar 1938, Carabia 24 (LS); 25 (LS); Rio Yao, Mar 1943, Marie-Victorin 60037 (GH); Florida Blanca, Jan 1949, Clemente 6421 (LS, US). JAMAICA. SURREY, St. Andrew: Gordon Town, Hart in Fl. Jam. 572 (US). MIDDLESEX, St. Ann: Cave Valley, 23 Jun 1955, Proctor 10373 (IJ, US); Clarendon: Thompson Town, 4 Apr 1952, Proctor 6508 (IJ, US). CORNWALL, Trelawny: Windsor Estate, 30 Aug 1956, Proctor 15777 (IJ, US); Manchester: Coleyville, 10 Jun 1952, Proctor & Hines 6784 (IJ, US); St. Elizabeth: Malvern, 14 Mar 1953, Proctor 7734 (IJ, US). HAITI. Morne de la Selle, Sep 1924, Ekman H-1856 (S);H-2052 (S); Porte-de-Paix, 2 May 1925, Ekman H-3972 (S, US); St. Michele, 12 Dec 1925, Leonard 8011 (US); Dondon, Nord, Jan 1926, Leonard 8590 (US); 8721 (US); Ennery, Artibonite, 4 Feb 1926. Leonard 9524 (GH, US); Pilate, Nord, 11 Feb 1926, Leonard 9691 (US); Miragoane, Massif de la Hotte, 20 Feb 1928, Ekman H-9628 (GH, IJ, S, US); Bassin Bleu, Apr 1929, Leonard 14783 (US); 14786 (US); 14926 (GH, US). REPUBLICA DOMINICANA. La Cumbre, 10 Apr 1906, Raunkiaer 997-A (C). MONTE CRISTI: Moncion, 18 Jan 1930, Valeur 368 (US). BARAHONA: Polo, Aug 1946, Howard 8464 (GH, US). SAN JUAN: San Juan de la Maguana, 5 Sep 1946, Howard 8797 (GH, US). TRUJILLO: Bayaguana to Guerra, 19 Oct 1946, Howard 9518 (GH). LAVEGA: Piedra Blanca, 5 Nov 1947, Allard 16640 (US). SANTIAGO: Guazumal, 10 Sep 1950, Jimenez 2105 (US). COLOMBIA. MAGDALENA: Santa Marta, Smith 2348 e p (F); 29 Jul 1946, Foster & Smith 1326 (GH); Fundacion to Medialuna, 22 Jan 1940, Dugand & Garcia-Barriga 2517 (US); Puerto Bello, Aug 1946, Foster & Smith 1454 (COL, GH); 1466 (GH, US). SANTANDER: San Gil, Miguel in Apolinar-Maria 57 (GH); Bucamaranga, 16 Dec 1948, Araque & Barkley 18-S-305 (US). ANTIOQUIA: Copacabana, 28 Apr 1934, Daniel 285 (US). CUNDINAMARCA: Quetame, Jan 1930, Perez-Arbelaez in Hb. Nac. Colomb. 9 (COL, US). TOLIMA: Ibague, I Aug 1952, Koie5167 (C, COL). VALLE: Dagua Valley, Jul 1881, Lehmann 769 (US); Zarzal, 21 Jul 1922, Pennell, Killip & Hazen 8399 (GH, PH, US); Espinal, Dagua, Sep 1922, Killip & Hazen 11082 (GH, PH, US); Restrepo, 16 Sep 1922, Killip 11261 (GH, PH); Lobo Guerrero, 9 Nov 1944, Cuatrecasas 17771 (GH); 19 Nov 1963, Hutchison, Idrobo & Wright 3107 (UC, US); Dec 1954, Llano 85 (US); Palmira, 3 Dec 1947, Ramirez, Murgueitio & Barkley 17-C-883 (US); Rio Raposo, 20 Aug 1966, Orjuela 299 (US). HUILA: Colombia, 26 Dec 1942, Fosberg 19588 (US). VENEZUELA. SUCRE: lrapa, Paria Peninsula, Pittendrigh 1038 (US); 1039 (US); 28 Ju1 1962, Steyermark & Agostini 90929 (US, VEN). MONAGAS: Caripe, 9 Apr 1945, Steyermark 61947 (F, GH). ANZOATEGUI: Bergantin, 26 Feb 1945, Steyermark 61231 (F, GH). MIRANDA: El Encanto, Vogl A-463 (M); Apr 1940, Genaro 346 (F). DISTRITO FEDERAL: Cerro del Avila, 24 Jul 1952, Aristeguieta 823 (VEN); Naiguata, Nov 1963, Steyermark 92105 (US, VEN). ARAGUA: Colonia Tovar, Fendler 1532 (GH); Rancho Grande, 24 Oct 1951, Foster 2778 (US). FALCON: Curimagua to San Luis, 20 Jul 1967, Steyermark 99278 (US, VEN). ZULIA: San Julian, Jul 1900, Robinson & Lyon s n (US); Machiques, Sierra de Perija, 24 Aug 1967, Steyermark & Fernandez 99630 (VEN). MERIDA: Lagunillas, Mar 1922, Jahn 963 (US); San Juan to El Vegon, 3 Feb 1928, Pittier 12853 (US); Ejido to Lagunillas, 22 Mar 1964, Trujillo 6185 (VEN); Estanques to Chiguara, 23 Mar 1964, Trujillo 6209 (VEN). BARINAS: El Canton, 9 Apr 1968, Steyermark, Bunting & Blanco 101973 (US, VEN). TRINIDAD. Port-of-Spain, 1931, Broadway s n (GH); Valley of Tumbasson, Caura, 1928, Buthn s n (TRIN); St. Ann's, 1894, Broadway s n (TRIN); Arima, 1906, Dannouse s n (NY, TRIN); Ortinola, Maracas Valley, 27 Mar 1955, Aitken & Downs s n (US); Maraval, Simmonds 326 (TRIN); Santa Cruz Valley, Aitken s n (TRIN). ECUADOR. ORO: Zaruma, 1923, Hitchcock 21222 (GH, US); Arenillas, 28 Sep 1954, Rauh E-377 (US). BOLIVIA. PANDO: Cachoeiras Madeira to Misericordia, Rio Madeira, 29 Ju1 1968, Prance et al 6602 (NY, US). LA PAZ, Sur Yungas: San Bartolome, Calisaya, Jul 1939, Krukoff 10042 e p (GH, NY). COCHABAMBA, Cercado: Tunari, 1892, Kuntze s n (NY).
Tillandsia juncifolia Regel in Gartenfl. 23: 321, pl.811. 1874
This taxon was treated as a synonym of T. juncea by Mez 1935 and S&D in 1977 but the name persists. This name continues to be used by Guatemalan growers and others for the nursery trade for a small, green form with longish stolons. It could be treated as a form of T. juncea not a species in its own right but is best treated as a cultivar 'Juncifolia'.