Tillandsia purpurea Shooting Star is a legitimate form of T. purpurea but the leaves are stacked on top of each other so that when you look down on the plant, the leaves form a star shape. When the leaves grow one above the other like this, the plant is said to be stellate. It produces a large number of offsets and a brightly colorful, purple inflorescence, fragrant flowers (a unique cinnamon smell).