Tillandsia ionantha v. fastigiata syn T. ionantha 'Peanut' is a variety of Tillandsia ionantha which comes from Central America, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. It grows as an epiphyte up in the tree canopies and on scrub bushes. It grows in hot and dry environments and so is well adapted to drought and full sun.
Ionantha is from the Greek 'Ion' meaning purple, and 'Anthos' which means flower. When the ionantha's come into their flowering process they color up or blush red or pink depending on the variety, and then will produce the lovely purple, tubular flowers, then they will produce pups or offsets around the base which will grow and flower again when they reach maturity which generally takes one year.
There are many many sub-species and varieties of ionantha, which makes them very collectible. They are very popular due to their ease of growing, vibrant display and the fact that they are so versatile.
Here is Tillandsia ionantha v. fastigiata syn T. ionantha 'Peanut' it is a lovely small growing ionantha which colors up very nicely and then produces its lovely purple flowers.
These are really nice chunky little plants, flowering size, snap em up while they last.