My Favorite Epiphyte

I love spanish moss. I took these photos on Little Saint Simons. The article was taken from the Naturalists at Cumberland Island's Blog. I love it too. http://www.cumberland.wordpress.com/

Spanish moss is one of the most noticed and misunderstood plants on Cumberland. Over the years, I have heard a number of unusual descriptions and interpretations of the ’strange stuff’ that hangs from the trees. I remember a commercial photo shoot on the Island a few years ago, when one of the fashion models thought a set designer had “put that stuff in the trees” to enhance the photos. More recently, a visitor said “the stuff in the trees” reminded him of women’s under garments and a walk through Victoria’s Secrets.
Just the origin of the plants name sparks the imagination as it may have been compared to the long gray beards of early spanish explorers. The truth is, spanish moss is neither spanish nor is it a moss. Instead it’s a native sub-tropical air plant or epiphyte that draws nourishment from moisture in the air, as opposed to a parasite that would feed directly on the host tree it is attached to. Some people are confused over this because they have seen trees killed by spanish moss. This is due usually to large amounts of moss shading out the trees leaves rather than feeding on the tree itself; but this is seldom seen on Cumberland where frequent windy conditions prune back the buildup of moss on most trees. On the other hand, spanish moss acts like a sponge during wet weather adding a great deal of weight to a tree. If strong winds occur many limbs can be broken off, leaving the tree susceptible to insect damage. But the reservoir of water held by this odd looking plant will benefit the surrounding forest as it is released slowly through evaporation, nourishing other moisture loving plants. Wind and air quality play a key role in the distribution and survival of spanish moss. Although it flowers and produces seeds, the plant spreads mostly by pieces that have been separated by the wind. This air plant is also an indicator of air quality because it will not grow in a polluted environment. Spanish moss hanging from a live oak, it’s main host tree, is the classic picture of the deep south. This time of year especially, with our brilliant red and golden autumn sunsets, the moss stands out in the forest, back lit by a warm quality of light that can stir the imagination, but for some reason it just doesn’t remind me of Victoria’s Secrets.