Wallisia

Wallisia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. Native to tropical regions of Central and South America, specifically ranging from southern Mexico to Brazil, Wallisia plants are primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants (usually trees) for support but do not parasitize them.

Wallisia species are characterized by their rosette-forming leaves, which are often glossy and attractively patterned or colored. The inflorescence (flower spike) is a prominent feature, typically arising from the center of the rosette. Flowers can be brightly colored, often red, orange, or yellow, and are frequently long-lasting.

The genus is closely related to Vriesea, and some species originally classified within Vriesea have been reclassified into Wallisia. The distinguishing characteristics that differentiate Wallisia from Vriesea are primarily based on microscopic anatomical features of the petals and reproductive structures.

Wallisias are popular as ornamental plants, prized for their attractive foliage and showy flowers. They are often cultivated in greenhouses or as houseplants, requiring bright indirect light and well-draining soil mixes suitable for epiphytes.