Spanish moss

A bromeliad plant (Tillandsia usneoides) that is epiphytic on trees from the southern United States to Argentina, having greenish-gray stems and leaves that droop in long matted clusters.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Spanish moss

1. (Plants) an epiphytic bromeliaceous plant, Tillandsia usneoides, growing in tropical and subtropical regions as long bluish-grey strands suspended from the branches of trees

2. (Plants) a tropical lichen, Usnea longissima, growing as long trailing green threads from the branches of trees

Also called: long moss

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Span′ish moss′

an epiphytic plant, Tillandsia usneoides, of the pineapple family, with narrow, drooping gray leaves, growing in long strands over trees, esp. in the southeastern U.S.

[1815–25, Amer.]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

Spanish moss - dense festoons of greenish-grey hairlike flexuous strands anchored to tree trunks and branches by sparse wiry roots; southeastern United States and West Indies to South America

black moss, long moss, old man's beard, Tillandsia usneoides

genus Tillandsia, Tillandsia - large genus of epiphytic or terrestrial sparse-rooting tropical plants usually forming dense clumps or pendant masses

aerophyte, air plant, epiphyte, epiphytic plant - plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain; usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

They were covered with Spanish moss. She beat the moss down impatiently, and muttered to herself sullenly.

View in context

Spanish moss dropped from the gracefully bending limbs, and enormous creepers clambered in riotous profusion from the ground to the loftiest branch, falling in curving loops almost to the water's placid breast.

View in context

We begun to come to trees with Spanish moss on them, hanging down from the limbs like long, gray beards.

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Oaks of many sorts were veiled in lacy Spanish moss. Ferns and brakes grew lush beside the stream.

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Then continue down the street, past beautiful Mediterranean houses shaded by ancient oaks dripping Spanish moss, until the tang of the Gulf of Mexico hits you.

Venice and Englewood: head to South Sarasota for old-Florida charm

The oak trees draped in Spanish moss, the cobblestone streets, the many squares and Factor's Walk--all contribute to its beauty and history.

Destinations to fuel love's fires: authors of the romance genre offer their favorite spots

reeded with Spanish moss, her daughters play, skinned-knee

Deceit

Here, in his chambre a part at the Freidricianum, the dynamically curved, eccentrically positioned, single-color canvases instantly produced what can only be described as a "ping" effect: the sensation that would ensue if one suddenly came upon an alpine meadow, bright green and full of wildflowers, after wandering for hours through grand allees dripping with Spanish moss. Viewing Kelly's work at the time, I was reminded of Ruskin's pre-Raphaelite encomium: that artists endeavor to look at nature as if without eyelids.

Kelly's green

When you see Spanish moss or pictures of it swaying in the breeze like supple stalactites, are you reminded of pineapples?

The maverick pineapple

It is the oldest state park in Mississippi and is decorated with Spanish moss along the cypress trees.

Delta fishing: tossing a line in the Delta fills summer days with fun

CR Revlon Colorstay longwear nail enamel in Spanish moss, PS7.99 A polish boasting a USP of lasting wear without chips is going to be worth plenty to us ladies, and this one certainly seems to have a good start, as it's pretty hardwearing and claims to last 11 days.

TRIED TESTED

Robert Fuller and Nancy Eufemia Dalman 9:15 EVALUATING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR AND IN SPANISH MOSS (TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES L.) **, Kathryn T.

Section I: biological sciences science building, room 103 Shane A. Webb, presiding