A new plant!

My labmate R was walking to the bus to get to the lab today when she spied a trashcan with garden waste piled on top. Included in that pile were tillandsia, part of the Bromeliad family.


Tillandsia ?? -- bad lighting pic

Tillandsias are weird plants -- they are often found growing on trees and rocks, and are epiphytic, so they don't require soil. They do, however, still need to be watered and still need nutrients.


Tillandsia ?? -- outside on concrete

We're hoping this tillandsia cutting survives. Tillandsia roots are used only for securing the plant to some anchor; it's the scales on the leaves that absorb water and nutrients.

If anyone can identify this tillandsia, we'd be very grateful. Otherwise, we'll have to wait until it flowers.