Tillandsia pallescens
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Tillandsia pallescens faces significant pressure from habitat destruction as coastal and montane forests are cleared for agriculture and urban development across its range in Ecuador and Peru. The species is particularly vulnerable to collection pressure for the ornamental plant trade, as its attractive silvery foliage makes it highly sought after by bromeliad enthusiasts. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes and cloud forest conditions that this epiphytic species depends upon for survival.
Habitat
This epiphytic bromeliad inhabits cloud forests and humid montane forests between 1,000-2,500 meters elevation along the western slopes of the Andes. It grows attached to tree branches and trunks in areas with consistent moisture from fog and cloud cover.
