tillandsia
noun
til·land·sia
tə-ˈlan(d)-zē-ə 
: any of a large genus (Tillandsia) of chiefly epiphytic plants of the pineapple family native to tropical and subtropical America
Examples of tillandsia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This San Francisco favorite has a multitude of terrariums and tillandsias to satisfy any desire … to fill your home and patio with air plants.
—
Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Although there are a few tillandsias that can live in full sun, most require dappled shade.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Spray, don’t soak Many people suggest soaking tillandsias, but the recommendations range anywhere from 30 minutes twice a week to 3 hours every month.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Dig Gardens This Santa Cruz standout has a wide assortment of tillandsias — air plants — in hanging planters, wall decor and terrariums.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Rosen first became enamored with tillandsias during family vacations to Hawaii.
—Emily Young, latimes.com, 8 June 2019
Picture the exotic-looking and increasingly popular tillandsia.
—Emily Young, latimes.com, 8 June 2019
As for water, tillandsias take it in through scales on their leaves — trichomes, actually.
—Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Jan. 2018
Look for tillandsias at your local nursery, or visit tropiflora.com.
—Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2012
Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Although there are a few tillandsias that can live in full sun, most require dappled shade.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Spray, don’t soak Many people suggest soaking tillandsias, but the recommendations range anywhere from 30 minutes twice a week to 3 hours every month.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Dig Gardens This Santa Cruz standout has a wide assortment of tillandsias — air plants — in hanging planters, wall decor and terrariums.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 25 July 2019
Rosen first became enamored with tillandsias during family vacations to Hawaii.
—Emily Young, latimes.com, 8 June 2019
Picture the exotic-looking and increasingly popular tillandsia.
—Emily Young, latimes.com, 8 June 2019
As for water, tillandsias take it in through scales on their leaves — trichomes, actually.
—Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Jan. 2018
Look for tillandsias at your local nursery, or visit tropiflora.com.
—Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2012
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tillandsia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Elias Tillands †1693 Finnish botanist
First Known Use
1759, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near tillandsia
Cite this Entry
“Tillandsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tillandsia. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tillandsia
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