FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY 935 Orange Ave., Winter Park, Florida 32789 NOVEMBER, 1982
VOLUME 2. NUMBER 4
SPANISH MOSS Symbol of the So.u thland by A.S. Jensen To the native Floridian, Spanish moss (Ti/landsia usneoides) is part of the Florida scenery and is often taken for granted. To many newcomers and visitors, however, this strange air plant is a subject of much speculation and wonder. Contrary to what people believe, Spanish moss does not injure the tree by obtaining any nourishment from it. Being an air plant, it only uses the tree for support. Live oaks especially seem well-suited for harboring this strange plant and most Florida live oaks of any size have at least some Spanish moss. But many tree species harbor this plant. Healthy moss is often seen growing on dead trees, fences and power lines as well. Spanish 11'1-;.,~s conjures up visions of the Old South, ante bellum homes, and shady driveways.
When I was a little girl, and we were traveling home to Florida, our family always had a contest to see who would be the first to spot a bit of Spanish moss in the trees. That always meant that we were back in the South again, and nearly home. • Peggy S. Lantz
Spanish moss occurs in all Florida counties, but is very common to very rare depending on the location. It is also widely distributed from southern Virginia to eastern Texas along the coastal strip of the southeastern United States. Ball moss (Ti/landsia recurvata) is sometimes confused with Spanish moss, but is a small tufted, soft, greenish-gray plant. Often the two species are found growing in the same tree. Damage to Trees Although Spanish moss does not take its nourishment from the tree, it can sometimes cause tree damage when weak limbs become heavily laden with moss and break off. The
foliage of small branches may sometimes be smothered too. Spanish moss causes the most trouble in economic crop trees such as pecans and citrus. In shade trees, howeve·r, people usually remove it because they do not like it, not because of any damage it might do. Life history Spanish moss is a flowering plant belonging to the pineapple family. The strands sprout from a seed that is equipped with a feathery parachute which floats through the air until it lodges on a tree trunk or other suitable seed bed. Several strands may grow simultaneously from one seed. Strar:ids and minute pieces of moss carried by · wind or birds to suitable locations also grow into new festoons. Hurricanes are said to spread moss. Being an epiphyte (air plant), Spanish moss gets its nourishment from rainwater and air, absorbing great quantities of moisture, but it can live up to two years without rain. Probably dust in the air also supplies some of its
nourishment. Studies have shown that moss contains the same proportions of certain chemicals as the surrounding air. Uses In former times, moss had a variety of uses. It stuffed everything from car cushions to horse collars, but was mainly used in furniture manufacturing. At one period there were 35 moss plants operating in Florida. Green moss was gathered and cured by wetting it down and packing it in trenches or pits. It usually remained in the pit for six to eight months, during which time the outer covering rotted off, leaving the inner strand. Then it was taken to the moss factory where it was continued next page
FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
FALL MEMBERS' MEETING Saturday, Nov. 13, 10:00 A.M. Pl,iintation Inn, Crystal River (See page 3.~