A member of the Bromeliad family, Tillandsia or air plants are native to Central and Southern America. Named for the Swedish born botanist Dr Elias Tillandz, the epiphytic Tillandsia genus come in many sizes, shapes and forms — found in habitats ranging from arid deserts and mountainous areas to warm, humid forests.

There are upwards of 600 species of airplants currently known, each perfectly adapted to its growing environment, as well as countless hybrids. As an epiphyte, airplants take in water and nutrients via their hair-like trichomes on the leaves, producing only a small root system to anchor themselves onto trees and rocks.

The more arid-dwelling forms have a heavier concentration of trichomes giving a silver appearance — vital for water absorption and for deflecting sunlight. They use a specialised method known as CAM respiration, keeping their stomas closed in the daytime and breathing through the night to conserve moisture.