Florida Trees With Spanish Moss
It actually has an important role in florida s ecology.
Florida trees with spanish moss. Spanish moss can grow on just about any tree in florida but seems to prefer oak and cypress trees. Contrary to popular belief spanish moss is not a parasite. In our area it loves pine trees. Some of the best trees to plant in florida are live oaks maples slash pines citrus loquats crape myrtles plumeria and buttonbush to name a few.
Many animals use spanish moss for protection taking cover in the thick masses. Despite its name spanish moss is not a moss but a bromeliad a perennial herb in the pineapple family. Spanish moss does not need to be removed from your trees. Spanish moss tillandsia usneoides is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon larger trees in tropical and subtropical climates native to much of mexico bermuda the bahamas central america south america the southern united states west indies and is also naturalized in queensland it is known as grandpas beard in french polynesia.
It s actually an epiphyte meaning it gets all of its nutrients from the air and rainwater. Epiphytes grow on other plants but do not rely on them for nutrients. What are the best trees to plant in florida. Spanish moss inhabits a number of tree species from florida to texas and thrives in u s.
Spanish moss is not from spain. Given the roles these plants play in the natural environment and the native beauty they impart the best strategy is to leave these unique and harmless plants unmolested. Spanish moss can grow strands up to 20 feet long especially on live oak and cypress tree branches. This can be hard in florida since the climate is sub tropical.
The best tree for you is one that is going to fit into the space you have and will enjoy your local climate. Spanish moss ball moss lichens and other epiphytes growing on living and dead trees are part of the image of the florida landscape. Spanish moss sometimes called grandfather s graybeard or florida moss is soft graceful eerie and beautiful all at the same time. Today the plant is collected for use in arts and crafts and flower arrangements.
Hanging off trees and landscape plants spanish moss is a familiar part of florida s environment. A romantic symbol of the south it is greenish silver after a rain and grayish silver at other times. Spanish moss is not a moss. If you are considering removing moss from your trees in this blog we will discuss how to remove spanish moss from trees easily.
Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11 wrapping around its hosts without rooting. In days gone by spanish moss was collected to stuff mattresses car seats and furniture. This means that moss can grow and grow fast.
