Spanish moss

Tillandsia usneoides, also known commonly as: Spanish moss, Graybeard, Long moss, and Old Man's Beard.

Tillandsia usneoides

Taxonomy

• Spanish moss is an epiphyte within the Bromeliaceae family.

	Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Classification	Plantae	Embryophyta	Liliopsida	Poales	Bromeliaceae	Tillandsia	T. usneoides

Conservation Status and Distribution

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Spanish moss is listed as Least Concern. [1] [4] [5]

Description

Tillandsia usneoides and Epiphyte[3] that typically grows on woody branches.

Identification

[3][4]

Habitat and Distribution

mmm [3]

Human Uses

MULCH, AESTHETICS LIKE: FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, CRAFTS, [2]

Sources

[1] Treviño Zevallos, I. 2019. Tillandsia usneoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T131368905A131369229. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T131368905A131369229.en. Accessed on 29 April 2025.

[2] Hand, Jr., Duke, E. R., & Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program. (n.d.). Spanish moss. https://cafs.famu.edu/cooperative-extension/pdf/Spanish%20Moss%20extension%20brochure.pdf

[3] Tillandsia usneoides (Graybeard, Long Moss, Old Man’s Beard, Spanish Moss) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tillandsia-usneoides/#:~:text=Tillandsia%20usneoides%20(Graybeard%2C%20Long%20Moss,Carolina%20Extension%20Gardener%20Plant%20Toolbox

[4]Vascular plants of North Carolina. (n.d.). https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/plant_list.php?name_sn=Tillandsia%20usneoides

[5] Spanish moss - Tillandsia usneoides. (n.d.). Ukhouseplants. https://www.ukhouseplants.com/plants/spanish-moss-tillandsia-usneoides-1