The circle of life for epiphytes.

 

Tillandsia in bloom.

Went to water my small collection of Air Plants and was surprised to see that this one had produced two purple and yellow flowers. I did not know that Tillandsia bloomed! Apparently they flower just once and that this is the precursor to forming new plants (pups). The mother plant will last a number of years after blooming but flowering marks both the beginning of new life and the death of old as far as Air Plants go. It's a bit like old architects taking retirement then!