Name: Tillandsia walteri Mez
Synonyms: Tillandsia herrerae Harms; Tillandsia walteri var. herrerae (Harms) Rauh.
Etymology: The specific epithet walteri honors a person named Walter; the exact dedication is not further explained in the original description.
First description: Described in 1906 by Carl Christian Mez.
Origin / Distribution: Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Location / Habitat:
Epiphytic, occasionally also growing saxicolously in the mountainous regions of the Andes. The species occurs at elevations of approximately 2450 to 4050 m above sea level and grows there in well-ventilated habitats with high humidity, strong temperature fluctuations, and intense but filtered sunlight.
Description & Notes:
Medium-sized tillandsia with a dense rosette of narrow, gray to silvery scaly leaves. The striking inflorescence emerges centrally from the rosette and bears numerous flowers with colored bracts and purple petals.
Like many highland tillandsias, Tillandsia walteri prefers very good air circulation, bright light, and regular moisture with quick drying. It is particularly well suited for cultivation on wood or cork, where the roots can grow freely and waterlogging is avoided.