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Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L.

Spanish moss

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassZingiberidaeGingers and related plants
OrderBromelialesBromeliads: tropical plants adapted to limited water, often epiphytes
FamilyBromeliaceaeBromelias: tropical and subtropical plants, the best known being pineapple
GenusTillandsiaFor Elias Tillands (1640-1693), Finno-Swedish botanist
SpeciesusneoidesResembling Usnea lichens (old man’s beard)

About plant names...

Spanish moss is neither Spanish nor moss. It is named because it resembles a beard lichen of the same name, but it isn't a lichen either. It is an epiphyte—a plant that grows on other plants without actively parasitizing them. It is also called an air plant because it derives its water and nutri­tional needs directly from the air (well, sort of ... see below). Although Spanish moss doesn't directly harm its host trees, it competes with them for sunlight, thus slowing their growth, so the distinction between epiphyte and parasite is somewhat blurred. Spanish moss used to be processed into "horsehair," which was used to stuff furniture, car upholstery, and mattresses.

Identification: Spanish moss is gray-green or gray-blue in color, growing in large twisting masses that resemble flowing beards, hanging from branches in lengths up to 20′ (6 m). It is especially common on oak and cypress trees. Slender stems have alternate, curving, scaly leaflets ¾-2″ (2-6 cm) long and only 1/32″ (1 mm) around. There are no roots and the flowers are almost invisible. Spanish moss often contains chiggers and various other small life forms, so careful handling doesn't hurt.

Spanish moss looks very similar not only to its namesake, California Spanish moss, but to other beard lichens. But Spanish moss grows in hot, humid environments in south­eastern North America. Beard lichens prefer cool humid climates such as the Pacific Northwest and New England.

Online References:

Floridata.com

Wikipedia

Forestry Images

Florida Nature

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

On southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) · 4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

10/19/2011 · Marrero, Louisiana · By Heather A. Kent

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

On southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) · 4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

10/19/2011 · Marrero, Louisiana · By Heather A. Kent

Dendropogon usneoides (L.) Raf.

Renealmia usneoides L.

 

Tillandsia usneoides description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

10/25/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

4/10/2015 · Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm)

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

4/15/2015 · Kirby S. Storter Park, Florida

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

10/19/2011 · Marrero, Louisiana · By Heather A. Kent

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

On southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) · 4/11/2015 · Big Cypress Bend, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

On southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) · 4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

On southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) · 4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)

Tillandsia usneoides (spanish moss)

10/19/2011 · Marrero, Louisiana · By Heather A. Kent

Range: Zones 8-11:

About this map...