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Spanish moss
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Spanish moss Spanish moss on bald cypress trees Osprey carrying Spanish moss for use in a nest. Spanish moss hanging from oak trees Summerville, S.C.
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Spanish moss
Spanish moss Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides).

Spanish moss

plant
Also known as: Tillandsia usneoides, black moss, long moss, vegetable horsehair
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Also called:
Black Moss, Long Moss, orVegetable Horsehair
Related Topics:
Tillandsia
See all related content

Spanish moss, (Tillandsia usneoides), epiphyte (a nonparasitic plant that is supported by another plant and has aerial roots exposed to the humid atmosphere) of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). It is found in southern North America, the West Indies, and Central and South America.

The silvery-gray plant often grows in large, beardlike masses. It has threadlike stems up to 6 to 7.5 metres (about 20 to 25 feet) long. The leaves, also threadlike, are about 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres (1 to 3 inches) long. The yellow flowers, which appear rarely, are stalkless, have three yellow petals, and three sepals, and usually grow singly. Hairlike scales that cover the whole plant absorb water from the air. Spanish moss sometimes is used as a filler in packing boxes and as upholstery.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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Tillandsia
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Tillandsia aeranthos
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Tillandsia aeranthos
Tillandsia aeranthos

Tillandsia

plant genus
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

Tillandsia, the most widely distributed genus of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae), containing about 500 species of tropical American plants. They are mainly perennial herbs that are epiphytic (supported by other plants and having aerial roots exposed to the humid atmosphere).

The leaves of some members grow in rosettes; others hang loosely from their aerial perches. Those in rosettes often are flared and overlap at the base, forming a cup that holds rainwater. The leaves often are coloured or are grayish or silvery. The flowers are showy in some species, inconspicuous in others. Spanish moss (q.v.; T. usneoides) is sometimes used for packing or upholstery; T. xiphoides, a South American species, has strongly scented flowers that are sometimes used locally in medicines for respiratory diseases.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.