Ball moss, Bunch moss
Tillandsia recurvata

Family: Bromeliaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb. It grows in dense masses. The stems are simple and 1-10 cm long. They have the leaf bases wrapped around them. The leaves are 3-17 cm long. The fruit is a narrow cylinder shaped capsule 2-3 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry areas and open woods. In Central America it grows from 5-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Brazil, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, North America, Slovenia, South America, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The tender stems are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Stems, shoots, flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Clavel del aire, Gallinitas, Heno pequeno, Lirio, Musgo, Salvaje, Siwachare, Tilandsia, Toji

Synonyms

Renealmia recurvata L.; and several others