Tillandsia ionantha 'Zebrina' is a banded/striped cultivar of Tillandsia ionantha from Guatemala.  Tillandsia ionantha 'Mexican Zebra' is a striped/banded ionantha from Mexico.  The Mexican species of ionantha have thick succulent upright leaves which blush bright red when blooming. They will usually hold their color for several months.  The banding on this form is more prominent than on the Guatemalan cultivar. This name was first used by Dennis Cathcart of Tropiflora. The name is inspired by the Zebra painted donkeys used by street photographers in Tijuana.