Tillandsia bromeliads are epiphytic air plants, best known for growing on other species, from which they obtain no benefit except through their position. This Tillandsia species is growing terrestrially, essentially unrooted on sand (epiarenic) in one of the driest, most inhospitable habitats on the planet. Here it is the only plant able to survive. Cleistogamous flowers do not open fully and are self-pollinated. Thanks to Distinguished Professor Philip W Rundel of UCLA for identification of this species.