\Til*land"si*a\, n. [NL., after Prof. Tillands, of
Abo, in Finland.] (Bot.)
An immense genus of epiphytic bromeliaceous plants confined
to tropical and subtropical America. They usually bear a
rosette of narrow overlapping basal leaves, which often hold
a considerable quantity of water. The spicate or paniculate
flowers have free perianth segments, and are often subtended
by colored bracts. Also, a plant of this genus.

\Til*land"si*a\, n. [NL. So named after Prof.
Tillands, of Abo, in Finland.] (Bot.)
A genus of epiphytic endogenous plants found in the Southern
United States and in tropical America. {Tillandsia
usneoides}, called {long moss}, {black moss}, {Spanish moss},
and {Florida moss}, has a very slender pendulous branching
stem, and forms great hanging tufts on the branches of trees.
It is often used for stuffing mattresses.