Tillandsia polita
An epiphytic Tillandsia of the pine–oak and cloud forests of southern Mexico and northern Central America, most often collected in the Chiapas highlands around San Cristóbal de las Casas. The Encyclopaedia of Bromeliads now treats it as a natural hybrid of Tillandsia rodrigueziana and Tillandsia rotundata. It grows on oaks between about 1,300 and 2,500 m and wants bright light, cool nights and good air movement.
Where it grows wild
Epiphytic on Quercus in pine–oak forest (sometimes with Juniperus), in partly open, partly shaded forest, on remnant pasture trees, and on steep slopes with montane rain forest and elfin forest. Some sites are on limestone.
GBIF records with elevations run from about 1,300 to 2,500 m, with a median of about 1,900 m.
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