This species was originally collected in 1989, by Bill Baker (BB#6888), in Ecuador as  Vriesea species. It is in the group referred to as T/V; those species which start out as Vriesea and then are reclassified as Tillandsia.  Blooming plants are 3 feet tall. The inflorescence has a beautiful dark rose color and dark petals with a fine white outline on the petal edges.

We have propagated all our plants from then collected by Bill. Through collaboration with Jerry Raack we have been able to recently identify this plant. It is the species Tillandsia karineae, which was published in 202.

• Please note: some of these plants (V059) were previously sold as T. appenii.