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Spanish-moss
Tillandsia usneoides
Bromeliaceae
 

Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer

General Landscape Uses: Accent epiphyte; on live oaks along forest edges.

Availability: Grown by enthusiasts.

Description: Epiphytic herb.

Dimensions: Hanging in mats often 20 feet or more in length.

Growth Rate: Moderate to slow.

Range: Southeastern United States, Maryland and Delaware west to Texas and south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America.

Plant Map Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.

 Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.

 Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.

Habitats: Moist forests and swamps.

Soils: Epiphytic; grows on the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs.

Nutritional Requirements: Low; it grows on nutrient poor substrate.

Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.

Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.

Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.

Light Requirements: Full sun.

Flower Color: Pale green or blue.

Flower Characteristics: Semi-showy but small.

Flowering Season: Spring-fall.

Fruit: Green to brown capsule with hairy, wind dispersed seeds.

Wildlife and Ecology: Attracts insect pollinators.

Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from seed and division.

References: A Gardner's Guide to Florida's Native Plants


Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer

Copyright by: George D. Gann

Copyright by: Michelle Smith, 2017.


Other data on Tillandsia usneoides available from:



 
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