These air or sky plants possess the exceptional quality of absorbing all moisture and nutrients that they need from the atmosphere around them
Visakhapatnam: Air plants, also known as sky plants, which thrive indoors without conventional soil or water support, highlight nature’s ingenuity, are captivating the interest of horticultural enthusiasts at the Biodiversity Park near Rani Chandramani Devi (RCD) Government Hospital.
These extraordinary plants, belonging to the Tillandsia family, are in a nook at the cosy greenhouse of the Biodiversity Park. Tillandsia is a genus of around 649 species of evergreen, perennial flowering plants of the family Bromeliaceae. They are native to the forests, mountains and deserts of the neo-tropics, from northern Mexico and the south-eastern United States to Mesoamerica and Caribbean, apart from central Argentina.
These air or sky plants possess the exceptional quality of absorbing all moisture and nutrients that they need from the atmosphere around them. Six types of these unique plants from Kalimpong and Kozhikode have been lovingly placed on rocky surfaces and attached to vertical wooden poles in the Biodiversity Park’s greenhouse. They are a visual spectacle, making one ponder about how these plants are magically growing in the open air or sky.
M. Rama Murty, founder of the Dolphin Nature Conservation Society, who is maintaining the Biodiversity Park alongside Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), explains that these incredible plants are epiphytes. They can make their homes also on trees, without causing them harm, using their roots primarily for support, a testament to their coexistence with nature.
Air plants at the Biodiversity Park include the lovely Tillandsia caput-medusa or Octopus plant, the graceful Tillandsia usneoides or Spanish Moss, the elegant Billbergia nutans or Queens tears, the charming Tillandsia ionantha rubra, and the captivating T. caput-medusae. These plants can thrive in various environments, from tropical rainforests to rocky landscapes and serene swamps.
Among the plants standing out are the Tillandsia caput-medusae Octopus plant or the Medusa head for its unique, flowing leaves that resemble gentle tentacles. Rama Murty explains that this plant is easy to care for and a wonderfully creative addition to any indoor place. It needs low maintenance but brings joy. When it blooms, it becomes a stunning focal point.
The best part is that one can rearrange these plants freely, without the worry of spreading dirt. They are a clean, stylish choice that brighten any living or office space.
