Mysterious and Enchanting Spanish Moss

When I am planting something new in a hanging basket, I meander out to the trees on which moss is hanging and grab some.

It is carefully placed in the bottom of the basket before soil and the plant is added. It saves me dimes and it offers a nice bed for a new plant.

Driving along the rural roadways that are off the beaten path here in Florida, the mysterious looking Spanish moss is found hanging out, gently moving in whatever breeze comes its way.

It is especially curious when it hangs low and thick over the branches of the large trees that are often found on the two lane country roads. I can always feel a story within those branches and entangled in this plant that rests upon them. They whisper to me tales of long ago left dormant since no one happened by to record and share them.

Spanish moss is not a moss…I thought it was for a long time until I began raising bromeliads. When I was researching some of the finer points of the bromeliad, I found that this intoxicating plant has an interesting family. Despite its name, Spanish moss is not a moss but a bromeliad—a perennial herb in the pineapple family.

Many bromeliads are a group of plants that grow on other plants but do not depend on them for nourishment.

Which caused me to wonder, then what is the source of that which sustains them?

It had to be from the air if they are not receiving nourishment from the tree.

And, yes, that is correct. The air and debris that happens by provides food and drink for this plant.

It has little scales on it that are able to be permeated thus trapping nutritious elements and moisture for the moss. This plant does like moist homes but because of its structure it can hold onto water and can survive periods of dry weather. Interestingly enough they have a ‘switch’, if you will, that allows them to adopt a dormant state until the weather conditions improve if it is a very long period with no rainfall. That is particularly fascinating to me.

Usually this plant is found on oak and cypress trees but it can grow on other plants. One of my orange trees in the back yard shown in the photo sports this more than ample beard.

Again that leads me to wonder….how do they know the tree is an oak or a cypress? Did the little beard of moss on my orange tree get confused and land there by happenstance?

Is it killing my trees?

You will meet with some controversy on this issue.

Those who have many trees with an abundance of moss will tell you it does kill their trees.

Others, who have studied the moss, report that it does not harm trees. Trees that die from moss being on them are sick or weak trees that would have died anyway is their explanation. Further, trees that are healthy can grown faster than the moss does so they would survive.

You will meet with some controversy on this issue.

Those who have many trees with an abundance of moss will tell you it does kill their trees.

Others, who have studied the moss, report that it does not harm trees. Trees that die from moss being on them are sick or weak trees that would have died anyway is their explanation. Further, trees that are healthy can grown faster than the moss does so they would survive.

The weight of moss when there is an abundance can cause branches to break. Removal of the moss is suggested if you see large amounts of it on your trees.

Probably I would say the uses of it are only limited by your imagination.

It has reportedly been used for stuffing in mattresses. I can only wonder how comfortable that would be. I suppose it could be arranged in a way that would make it a comfy sleeping pallet.

It has been used to in stuffing cushions for other furniture, in the seats of cars, and for insulation in homes.

The most popular use of it at this time is in flower arrangements and as mulch.

I have used it to line hanging baskets before placing plants in them and it has worked quite nicely.

Are there other uses for it?

Apparently so. It seems that some birds like to use it to for nesting material. That should not seem too surprising as when it is available it is usually abundantly so. Right at hand, more than enough Span

According to those who have studied Spanish moss in depth, other critters like to use it as well for homes. That includes amphibious creatures, bats, and reptiles. I know first hand that lizards find it a lovely place to nest as I have had them slither across my arms as I have been removing it from the branches of a tree in the yard.

There is something a bit mysterious and even haunting and, at the same time, romantic about Spanish moss when it is seen dangling from stately trees as a gentle wind is blowing.

Movie and TV producers have used that mystery to their advantage when filming certain movies or tv shows. The feel of the scene is amped up with this plant in the background.

Many times it is the other character in a movie. It just adds that little something that would be lacking without its presence. Watch for it in the next movie you view that is set in the southeastern United States.

If you have an abundance of this enchanting plant on your trees and you decide to remove some of it, beware.

Little pesky chiggers love to make it their home and they are annoying when they land on you. So be cautious, wear long sleeved shirts, gloves, and even a hat to help avoid these unwanted visitors to your skin. Even at that, you may find one or two have found their way to your skin.

You will find little red bites wherever they have landed and the itching will begin if they find you. So remember:

Watch out for chiggers …they often find the moss a great place to hang out…o, my…I know that was corny…sorreeeee.

For me, this plant is ever enchanting. As I drive along over narrow country roads in out of the way places, I find myself hearing a story as I drive through trees that have stood in those spots for hundred of years. Adorned by this lacy curtain of mystery, whispers of stories not yet told await awakening a desire to hear them and to know.

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