Lennard Tillandsia: Tillandsia bergeri

TILLANDSIA BERGERI - MYSTERY SPECIES

TILLANDSIA BERGERI IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMONLY GARDEN GROWN SPECIES OF TILLANDSIA HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

I AM AWARE OF THE SPECIES FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS - SPECIFICALLY I DO REMEMBER THE MASSIVE CLUMPS HANGING FROM TRUNKS AND I REMEMBER THAT I LOST INTEREST IN THE SPECIES BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT FLOWERING.

RECENTLY MY INTEREST IN THE GENERA FLAME UP AND I HAVE DECIDED TO COLLECT THEM. BEING A KEEN AND VERY "GOOD" GARDENER HAVING EXPERIENCE IN MANY DIFFERENT PLANT TYPES, I WAS FRUSTRATED FOR NOT FINDING A REASON FOR THE SPECIES NOT FLOWERING READILY HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

(I WILL USE THIS BLOG TO DOCUMENT ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ON THIS SPECIES. I AM AN AMATEUR WHEN IT COMES TO RESEARCHING - PLEASE DO NOT SEE THIS AS SOMETHING ELSE AND I DO APOLOGIZE FOR USING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANY SO THAT I CAN REMOVE IT.)

Scientific classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Monocots

(unranked): Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Bromeliaceae

Subfamily: Tillandsioideae

Genus: Tillandsia

Subgenus: Anoplophytum

Species: T. bergeri

Binomial name

Tillandsia bergeri

Mez

Some history:

The genus Tillandsia was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Swedish physician and
botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640–1693).
Tillandsia Bergeri : After the German botanist, Alwin Berger, beginning of the 20th century.

(Tillandsia dianthoidea, variety grisea was treated by Smith as a synonym of T. bergeri)

Description:

Here are some drawings and dried herbarium examples:

Plant - The average size of the plant is about twelve to fourteen inches wide and ten inches high. Leaves - Leaves are hard and linear, often grayish-green, dark green or shades of red, covered in gray trichomes.

The blades are channeled, narrowly triangular and attenuated. (The more sun, the more pronounced curving.)
Plants from my greenhouse with lots of shade:

Roots - Bergeri often produce an extensive root system. The roots are thin and very similar to wires. Its only function is to provide the fixation of the plant to the host, because the capture of water and nutrients occurs through the trichomes.

It seem that Tillandsia can also form internal (intracorticais) roots that will help the growths to stay attached to the host.

"This feature was also observed for other species of Bromeliaceae by Chodat & Vischer (1916) and Tomlinson (1969), in which the authors related the presence of these roots intracorticais with the support of these plants. Agree here with the interpretation of these authors, since the occurrence of intracorticais roots in Tillandsia studied should assist in support of these plants are epiphytes and/or tree trunks."

This is cross sections of the stems of Tillandsia showing the internal roots:

It does seem that the roots become dormant once the plant is attached to a host. But the roots can sprout again if conditions change. This new root is coming from an old root on a 3 year old stem:

Inflorescence - The inflorescence is simple.The flowers are generally funnel-shaped, with three sepals and petals in violet and white colors, with the spread of terminal lobes and emerge from the center of showy bracts.

Flower bergeri

Multiplication - Form clumps very quickly. In fact they can be recognized by their pupping all the time- even without flowering! This species grows fast, forming clumps faster than any other Tillandsia species.

Variation within the species:

As with all species you do get variation within the species.
The region of Mar del Plata, a harbour city in Argentina, was discovered before 1600. I can imagine the explores gathering plants and taking them back to Europe.
The mountain range of Sierra de Tandilia, where Tillandsia bergeri occurs, is very close to this city(14 miles) and within reach of explorers. But this collecting have also complicated identification of the species in collections all over the world.

There are a lot of references to the "difficult to flower" variety.

This difficulty is reported from Europe (Portugal, Spain and Italy), Australia and from South Africa.
These plants are mostly described as big clumps of up to 30 years old that have not flowered.
The ones that do report flowering, is mostly that of a once off event. Others that do report flowering, is confusing Tillandsia bergeri with Tillandsia aeranthos or with one of the possible hybrids. There is a "flowering" variety going around here, but I have not see it flowering yet. Here is the "difficult" one on the left the and "easy" flowering ones(right) next to each other:

In Argentina, almost all Tillandsia species are being referred to as Clavel del aire (Carnation of the air) by the man in the street. There are not many photos/pictures of the species in habitat available. There is mentioning of a species hanging from cliff walls, but up to now I could not find any pictures of these.

It seems that the species is threatened by extinction in habitat by over exploitation, exotic species, human activities and also by the believe that Tillandsia is a parasitic species. In some areas of Argentina, Tillandsia aeranthos is sprayed to kill them where they are growing on the trees.

Differentiation - Tillandsia aeranthos is very similar, but not difficult to distinguish them when flowering. I does seem that Tillandsia bergeri's spikes are straight. Tillandsia aeronthos's spike are mostly arching gently downwards. In general Tillandsia bergeri's flowers are larger than those of Aeranthos. In habitat it does seem that Tillandsia always grow on rock/on the ground and Tillandsia aeranthos grow on trees - this will implicate that Tillandsia bergeri can take/prefer more sun?

Here are the two species hanging next to each other:

(Notice the Aeranthos flowering in the top of the Bergeri.)

Tillandsia aeranthos variation:

If pups in all stages of growth are seen protruding between the axils of the leaves, one can make a safe estimate that the plant is a Tillandsia bergeri. Interesting enough, it does seem that the "difficult to flower one" in South Africa, with most(not all) flowering growths, the pups are not so numerous on the flowering growths.

Another description:

Stem: long short.
Leaf: forming tank not;
rosetted yes;
phylotaxy spiralled;
form of the blade triangular;
indumentum of the blade squamulose;
position transverse of the blade sub erect.
Inflorescence: type simple
orientation sub erect;
orientation of the flower on the rachis polystichous;
position of the flower on the anthesis erect;
form of the bract floral oblong;
bract floral carenate yes;
colour of the bract floral pinkish/greenish.
Flower: connation of the sepal connate;
symmetry of the sepal symmetric;
sepal carenate not;
form of the petal spathulate;
colour of the petal lilac;
position of the stamen in relation to corolla included.

Geographic distribution
South America:
Endemic :Is endemic in its country of origin to an
isolated mountain range, the Sierra de Tandilia,
south of Buenos Aires.

Vegetation Type :Seasonally Semi- deciduous forest, rock outcrop vegetation.

This is an infrequent species in habitat. It grows in full sunlight conditions in cracks of rocks on summits, where it forms clumps.

It is the only species of the genus that has been found in the Tandilia mountain range system growing lithomorphic. (Lithomorphic soils have a well-developed topsoil but no subsoil and are very shallow (<30cm) soils over rock, rubble or unaltered sediment. "Soils" are non-calcareous, and may be quite acid, sometimes with peaty surface layers.).

The species is now classified as critically endangered (CR): A taxon in critical danger faces a risk extremely high extinction in the wild status in the immediate future:

(Las especies vegetales amenazadas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires: Una actualización.
Gustavo Delucchi Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Paseo del Bosque s/n (1900), La Plata, Argentina. Correo electrónico: delucchi@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar)

Confirmed Tillandsia bergeri in habitat :

Sierra de los Padres is a string of rocky hills and ridges about 14 miles west of Mar del Plata.
They are part of the Tandilia's mountain range, actually a series of low hills extended from
the central Buenos Aires Province to Cabo Corrientes, a cape on the shores of Mar del Plata.
These peaks are 150-180m high, surrounded by farms in the lower lands and by an exclusive neighborhood built on their slopes.

Some "rare" photos of Tillandsia bergeri in this habitat November (summer) 2013:

This one is hiding with a Parodia cactus:

This one is reported to be from the Tandilia mountain range close to Balcarce:

Another "rare" photo of a nice clump in natural habitat:

Not 100% sure of these two:

2 Junie 2019 - a friend from Argentina send me this 2 pictures of Tillandsia bergeri in habitat from Balcarce, Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). This again shows the lithomorphic the species like to grow in:

Climate where the species occurs in its natural habitat:

Temperature:

Rainfall:

Humidity and clouds ( 6 months):

Tillandsia bergeri in cultivation.

It seems that the future of this species, as with many other species, lies in the hand of collectors//collections.

I think one must accept that there are variety in the species and that all varieties do not behave the same in cultivation.

There is a general feeling that the species needs a cold period to initiate flowering, but looking at the statistics of the temperature of where the species occur in habitat, extremely low temperatures are very rare - snow was last reported 2010/2011.

It does seem that a colder winter climate, coupled with high humidity and some rain, is needed to initiate flowering.

This parameters seem to be met here in South Africa, in areas with winter rainfall along the Eastern Cape and Western Cape regions close to the sea. Most of the confirmed flowering of the species here in South Africa, occurs in these regions.

Here are the averages of a confirmed flowering in Gansbaai, South Africa:

The confirmed flowering in Gansbaai(Once only in 25 years):

In Gordonsbaai (Once only one spike in 30 years):

In Wilderness:

Cape town:

Bredasdorp:

Knysna:

Port Elizabeth (Seems like one spike only):

Grahamstown:

All of this areas have a Mediterranean climate with a lot of winter rain, but temperatures not too low.

Inland South Africa, I could not found any confirmed(photos) flowering of the species, only big clumps surviving very low humidity and temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius. It does not mean they do not flower in other climates, but flowering is very rare with this "variety'. Interesting also, except for the specimen from Gansbaai, with the clumps from South Africa, flowers will mostly be found to the bottom of the clump.

Inland in much colder regions with very low temperatures and humidity, flowering is reported, but also very rarely. This one from Heidelberg, is reported to flower only once every three years:

This is the flower of the one from Heidelberg:

I believe this one from Australia is the same as the ones from South Africa.
(Thanks Derek, Howard and Ian for the info.)

" Tillandsia "Silver Berger"

Plant obtained in September 1999 growing in the fork of a crepe myrtle tree at a vacated house in Whalan NSW, a suburb of Blacktown City, west of Sydney. It was well established and looked like a silver leaved T. bergeri and when it flowered 12 years later it was a T. bergeri ! The plant is very heavily trichomed and takes on a silvery purple hue in strong sunlight and seems even more vegetatively prolific than T. bergeri. Unlike the ‘normal’ T. bergeri which flowers reliably every year due to frosty winters, this plant had to be forced into flower with a ripe apple in a plastic bag for 2 weeks in Oct. 2011. The plant does elongate but generally stays at about 10-12 cms. diameter. and can grow to a length of 30 cms. and over a number of years to nearly 1 metre. We will never find out its true origins and if it were a hybrid what would be the other parent? In all other respects it agrees with the description of a somewhat variable species. Others may well have obtained this particular form or T. bergeri from other sources but it is so distinct as to call it ‘Silver Berger’. Reg Doc 1/2012
Country of origin: NSW Australia"

Here are pictures of the above clump:

This one collected from the Tandilia mountain range in cultivation in Argentina, does look a lot like the ones posted above:

(Again, notice the flowering lower down on the clump and also the light blue coloring of the flowers.)

Experimenting:

I am experimenting a lot on this variety. There is no question on whether this variety can bloom, but rather on why it is so difficult to flower and what one can do to get it to flower.

(Again, I have not succeeded in getting this variety to flower yet and do not do this with any negative intentions.)

As mentioned before, it is very difficult to get photos of the plant in habitat. It is said that it is growing on the Tandilia mountain range in Argentinia, but thus far I could only get photos of the species on an outcrop called Sierra de los Padres and close to Balcarce.

A summary of the plants in habitat(Sierra de los Padres):

This outcrop lays inland 17 miles/27 kilometers from the coast.
150 - 180? meters above sea level.
9- 10 degrees difference all year round between maximum and minimum temperatures. Highest 26 degrees Celsius in January and lowest 4 degrees Celsius in July.
It rains all the months of the year and humidity is very high(75%).
The only time it ever snowed was in 2010- 1cm.
It seems it prefers to grow in the open/full sun on bare rocky outcrops. It also grows in between other succulent plants.
When growing lithomorphic, the substrate seems to be acidic.
In habitat it seems to flower in late spring/early summer. (November in the southern hemisphere.)
When growing on bare rock in full sun, the clumps seems to be very compact. When growing between other plants, it seems to be growing more spaced out, probably reaching for light etc.
When growing in full sun, the plants takes on a red tinge.
When grown in full sun, the curvature of the leaves increase across the leaf. The leaves seems to curve very slightly lengthwise, reducing the area on the inside of the leaf to prevent sunburn. The plants growing in the brush, do not the have the curvature across the leaves and horizontally, the leaves curve less expose to enlarge the leaf area exposed to light. These are pictures of the same "clone". This will show how big difference light intensity will make on the color and the shape of the leaves. The first pics are of dry plants and the rest of the same plants when wet:

This close up shows the plant almost showing no green:

Under a microscope one can see the plant cells turning red(Leaf from the area where it joins the stem.:

Experiments A: Apple in a bag.

I have repeated this experiment 3 times now with no success. But I must add that I have tried it also with a few other species and with them, no success either. It is winter here and maybe not the best time to do this experiment. The flowering time is here for bergeri seems to be late spring/early(October/November) summer. Maybe it would be a good idea to do this experiment in early spring again.

July 2018 - No positive feed back yet. Interesting enough I also placed some Tillandsia tenuifolia plants with the bergeri in the container in they are forming spikes. I do have the same size plants in my hothouse and some in full sun outside that do not show any signs of spikes yet. But here it is almost blooming time for tenuifolia - will have to repeat the experiment when it is not blooming season for the species.

Tenuifolia after the apple experiment:

Bergeri will probably bloom in October/November here in South Africa. Maybe it would be an good idea to do the experiment again.

15 August 2018 - I have done the cold experiment on some plants a few weeks back. The temperature was just above 0 degrees Celsius and the plant was in the cool room for 5 days.

4 September 2018 - no signs of any spikes yet. Will give them a few weeks more.

2 June 2019. Two pictures added of the species in habitat close to Balcarce in Argentina.