English: Tillandsia recurvata growing as a harmless epiphyte on Ekebergia in South Africa. Like other species in this genus it is an epiphytic "air plant" but commonly is mistaken for a pernicious parasite that eventually would kill the tree. It is not parasitic nor are its attachment roots significantly harmful to its host. In fact, it commonly grows on wire fences etc, which a parasite could not do. This tree also is infested with foliose lichen that might be harmful, but that has nothing to do with the Tillandsia.