Re: NANFA-- Spanish Moss...off topic

Leo Arieux (HOLLIS1506_at_webtv.net)
Sat, 23 Dec 2000 10:14:02 -0600 (CST)

Spanish Moss is in the Bromeliad family
the scientific name is Tillandsia usneoides. It is an almost rootless
epiphyte that hangs in dense masses from trees and often over dry clifts
from Virginia to Texas along the Southern coast into Florida then South
to Argentina and Chile at altitudes from sea level to approximately 8000
feet.

The species consists of sender, greatly elongated stems overed with
minute silvery scales . It has tiny flowers which appear singly on a
very short stalk in
the axils of the leaves. The petals of the flowers are chartreuse
colored and fragrant, especially at night. They need good air movement
to prosper and being
an epiphyte are NOT parasitic in any way.
The roots are used for attaching to larger
more robust plants and of course is not
an aquatic plant in any way.

Scott was correct, it is a flowering plant, but most people do not
observe the flowers as they are so small and elongated next to the stems
of the plant.
In the past it was dried and used as mattress and sofa stuffing This was
however before most of us were born.

Regards,

Leo

************************************
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler'

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