Tillandsia xerographica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tillandsia xerographica |
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Tillandsia
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xerographica
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Tillandsia xerographica is a special type of plant called a bromeliad. It grows naturally in dry areas of southern Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Its name comes from two Greek words: xeros, which means "dry," and graphia, which means "writing." This name helps describe the plant's unique look and how it lives in dry places.
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What is Tillandsia Xerographica?
Tillandsia xerographica is a plant that grows very slowly. It is known as a xerophyte, meaning it can live in very dry conditions. It is also an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants, like trees, but it doesn't take food from them. Instead, it gets its water and nutrients from the air.
Plant Appearance
This plant has silvery-gray leaves that are wide at the bottom and become narrow at the tip. These leaves form a beautiful, round shape, almost like a sculpture. This shape is called a rosette. The rosette can grow to be about 90 centimeters (3 feet) wide.
When the plant blooms, a thick, green stem grows from its center. This stem can be 15 to 38 centimeters (6 to 15 inches) tall. The stem has rosy-red leaves called bracts. The flowers themselves are tubular and can be red or purple. These colorful flowers can last for many months, making the plant look pretty for a long time.
Where Does Tillandsia Xerographica Live?
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Tillandsia xerographica lives in dry forests and thorny scrublands. You can find it at heights between 140 and 600 meters (about 460 to 1,970 feet) above sea level. Its natural homes are in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Climate and Growing Conditions
The places where this plant grows usually have warm temperatures, from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F). The air is somewhat humid, with relative humidity between 60% and 72%. These areas don't get a lot of rain, only about 550 to 800 millimeters (22 to 31 inches) each year.
Tillandsia xerographica likes to grow on the highest branches of trees. This way, it gets a lot of bright sunlight, which it needs to thrive.
Different Types of Tillandsia Xerographica
People have created different versions of Tillandsia xerographica by crossing it with other plants. These are called cultivars. Here are a few examples:
- Tillandsia 'Betty' (a mix of T. xerographica and T. brachycaulos)
- Tillandsia 'Fireworks' (a mix of T. xerographica and T. roland-gosselinii)
- Tillandsia 'Silver Queen' (a mix of T. jalisco-monticola and T. xerographica)
- Tillandsia 'Silverado' (a mix of T. chiapensis and T. xerographica)
See also
In Spanish: Pie de gallo para niños
