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Tillandsia usneoides
Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L.
Spanish Moss
Bromeliaceae (Bromeliad Family)
Synonym(s): Dendropogon usneoides, Renealmia usneoides
USDA Symbol: tius
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)
Cascading masses of slender stems covered with gray scales, with a solitary inconspicuous flower at the end of short axillary branches.
Spanish Moss is an air plant (epiphyte), not a parasite, because it photosynthesizes its own energy from the sun. The scales help the plant absorb water and nutrients, most of which come from minerals leached from the foliage of the host tree.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet long.
Leaf: White-Gray
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , SC , TX , VANative Distribution: Primarily coastal, Connecticut south to Florida, west to central and south Texas, then south through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to South America as far south as Argentina.
Native Habitat: Hangs from Live Oak and other tree branches and telephone wires.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Possible medicinal uses of Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
April 13, 2006
I recently read an article about the healing properties of Spanish Moss. It mentioned reducing bad cholesterol in the human body. What exactly are the properties in this plant that are good for you, ...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | UPL | UPL | UPL | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0649 Collected Jun 6, 1992 in Medina County by Harry CliffeNPSOT 0542 Collected Aug 19, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1988 VOL. 5, NO.5 - Penny Campaign Grows Oklahoma Wildflowers, Wildflower Center Collects Honors, Di...Additional resources
USDA: Find Tillandsia usneoides in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Tillandsia usneoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tillandsia usneoides
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-14Research By: TWC Staff