Tillandsia Velutina (Air Plant)

The striking Tillandsia Velutina changes color at bloom time like a mood ring! The green-olive leaves sprout from the center and deepen to a sun-kissed red when in bloom. This soft-leaved air plant is velvety to the touch, due to the number of trichomes. Trichomes guard against chemical and microbial organisms like aphids. They also absorb water and airborne minerals and regulate water loss by transpiration. The bottom of the stem where the roots are is brown and may fool some as being root rot. 

When blooming, the bracts are bright red. The Tillandsia Velutina flowers from the inflorescence consist of several small shoots, each displaying only a couple of flowers, making the overall appearance rounded.