Spanish Moss

  1. Tillansia
  2. Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss, <i>Tillandsia usneoides</i><br /> Summer 2003, Florida


The Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), or 'airplant' is an epiphyte which hangs on to trees. It does not have true roots; it absorbs water and nutrients from its leaves. The plants do not cause any harm to the host plants -- not in the way to deprive the host plants of nutrients -- except that they could break off the branches of the host plants by the weight of Tillandsia. Tillandsia has been used as packing materials and shipped to all over the country.