Native to a large swath of Central and South America, Tillandsia bulbosa tolerates a wider variety of conditions and moisture levels than most air plants.
T. bulbosa's unique tubular leaves are reminiscent of a cephalopod and its bright pink inflorescence holds numerous small purple flowers. It makes a fantastic house plant, perhaps even moreso than more commonly kept air plants like Tillandsia stricta or Tillandsia tenuiflora, since its tolerance of lower humidity levels means it does not require regular soakings.
This watercolor was painted by the extraordinarily prolific Scottish artist Walter Hood Fitch, who produced some 10,000 botanical illustrations over the course of his life. This particular illustration was published in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, where Fitch was a regular contributor.
