The book’s author is Lloyd Kiff. It was published by Botanical Diversions in 1991..
The book’s objectives are presented in its first paragraph, namely:
“… This check-list is intended to provide a single source for currently accepted names of Tillandsia species and an outline of their ranges. In addition, brief taxonomic notes are inserted for clarification. Country-by-country lists of Tillandsia species, based mostly on the published literature, and an index of synonyms are appended…”
As well as utilising the published literature, the author drew on the personal experience of many tillandsia experts to resolve, where practical, inconsistencies between publications, as well as providing their unpublished information on the matters discussed in the book.
The book is primarily a listing of tillandsia species, and their ranges. (The latter information can sometimes be quite useful in helping you decide whether a particular species is likely to grow in your conditions.) A high standard of accuracy has been achieved in the book.
The author has also included useful comments on certain taxonomic issues, for example, where published sources differ in their statements on whether a particular plant is justified in having species “status”. This information, when combined with the list of synonyms on pages 60 to 76, can be quite useful in helping you ascertain the current botanically-accepted name for a plant which is labelled with a name which is no longer in use. (It can also help you avoid buying the same plant twice, but under two different names!)
As well as a list of synonyms, the book has a comprehensive bibliography, and a list of the tillandsia species known to occur in each country in the Americas.
When reading this book, one issue you need to be aware of is that there have been a number of taxonomic changes, and new discoveries, since the book was published in 1991. Unfortunately, there is no readily accessible source of this information.
This book is primarily of interest to the tillandsia specialist.