What is Spanish moss?

Spanish moss is an epyphytic plant in the Bromeliad family, which also includes pineapple. The epyphytic plants live completely above the ground and rely on other plants and trees to support their air roots, and although they are not usually parasitic, they can cause problems for the plants they grow. Spanish moss is located in the American South, along with Central and South America and especially in the south, it is rather an iconic plant. It has long, end stems that are green to gray in color, covered with fine hair and small scales. Hair and scales are able to absorb water, carbon dioxide and nutrients from the air and stimulate photosynthesis to support Spanish moss as it grows. The plant occasionally releases small yellow flowers. It grows on the trees and gives it enough space for the development of long end mats of stems and roots and creates quite a distinctive sight. Many southern novels include a scene under the Spanish moss and the plant is also used to create a Gothic mood for the scene.

Although Spanish moss is not parasitic, it can still hurt the plants on which it grows. If the mats grow particularly well developed, they can cut off the intake of light into the host tree, making it difficult for the photosynthesis tree. Large mats of Spanish moss also build wind resistance, so the trees will be less likely to survive high winds. For this reason, some people remove Spanish moss from their ornamental trees to ensure that they are doing well.

historically, the Spanish Moss had a number of commercial uses. Many transport companies in the south have used Spanish moss as a wrapping material because it is light and insulating, making it ideal for packing fragile objects. It is also used in the arrangement of dried flowers and as a mulching material for plants in the pot to keep the soil moist. Many craft and garden shops sell bags or blocks of Spanish moss, for those who want ituse in projects.