Spanish Moss
Latin Name: Tillandsia usneoides
Species: Plants
Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
Spanish moss is an epiphytic flowering plant, meaning it lives on the bark of trees and is not a moss at all. Although it lives on trees, it is not a parasite. The foliage of this plant is grey and is commonly seen drooping down from branches of old live oak trees. Its stems and leaves are thread-like and stems can reach 20 feet long. It has no roots and gathers moisture and nutrients from the air.
Range & Habitat (map)
Spanish moss is a coastal plant found growing on trees from Connecticut to Texas and extends through Central and South America as far south as Argentina. However, it does not occur in Spain as its name would imply.
Diet
N/A
Life History
Small, barely noticeable flowers bloom in spring and early summer that vary in color, usually green. These flowers produce seeds for reproduction, as opposed to true mosses which produce spores. The plant also propagates itself when fragments will land on other branches and trees. This process is often assisted by birds as they carry it for nesting material.
Significance
Spanish moss is commonly found in our maritime forests and is important for nesting and roosting. Birds such as the Northern Parula use the plant as nesting material while some bats, including Seminole and northern yellow bats, roost in the moss. Historically it had been used for bedding and stuffing for car seats and furniture.
Threats & How You Can Help
There are no recognized threats to Spanish moss in South Carolina, however, it is said that the plant is sensitive to air pollution and cannot thrive in areas with low air quality. This means it can be a biological indicator of air quality.