Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Spanish lace

I am fascinated by Spanish Moss. It gracefully hangs from the branches of the large Live Oak tree in our front yard. I never grow tired of its beauty and charm.

It is neither a moss nor a parasite; rather, it is a tropical, epiphytic herb (air plant) which grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients. It ranges from the Southeastern US to South America, growing wherever the climate is warm and humid.

To me, Spanish Moss is a lacy, romantic symbol of the South...

26 comments:

Jing said...

how about to use it as the curtain???
:DD
it looks really like lace.

jing
shanghai daily photo

Ming the Merciless said...

WOW, thanks for the botany lesson.

I always thought they were parasitic plants because I see them on old trees in Louisiana all the time.

Yikes, does that mean I'm a plant bigot??

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

I like it too...i love to see them swaying in the breeze....tho' they look rather spooky on bare trees...
Reminded me of my post on one i did long back..have a look at
http://mykodak.blogspot.com/search?
q=spanish+moss

Nikon said...

I've never been far enough South to see any. I thought they were parasitic, thanks for the info.

Linda said...

I got through blogspot for a change. I love this symbol of the South. There is something magical agout it.

kuanyin333 said...

We have this same plant in Hawaii, and we call it Pele's Hair! Beautiful photo!

Jilly said...

We have this plant here too. You can buy it at the Jardin Exotique shop in Monaco. I have it in my garden but goodness, not as lush and thick as yours. I agree, Isabella, it's the most beautiful plant and extraordinary to see how it grows and adds bits without anything but air and water.

Your Spanish Moss is amazing.

Lavenderlady said...

It doesn't grow here...but I have seen it on trips and it is beautiful. So...which caption did you choose for yesterday's quiz?

alice said...

I didn't know this plant. Epiphytic, like orchids? Does it give some flowers? Very exotic from here...

Seda said...

I have never seen such a plant before. Thanks for sharing. Looks magical.
seda

Olivier said...

impressionnant, au debut j'ai cru que c'etait une enorme toile d'araignée, mais bon ce matin je ne suis pas bien reveillé ;o)


impressing, in the beginning I believed that it was an enormous cobweb, but good this morning I am not well awaked ;O)

Peter said...

I think I never saw this plat before. Interesting. I've often been in Spain, but cannot remember having seen this.

Kalyan Panja said...

Really a nice plant & its decoration looks beautiful...wonderfully captured shot!

Anonymous said...

I like your Spanish lace photograph. It is especially stunning to me. I wonder if the trees thrive with the lace growing on them. I assume they do or it would be removed.

Nice photos as usual.

See the latest windpower technology working here in Brookville.

Steve Buser said...

We share the Spanish Moss with you. Peaceful, tranquil. Your photo has a lot of feeling to it.

Thanks for visiting my blog

Z said...

So, that's what that is. I've wondered about the stuff, but never got around to looking it up.

Hey, I've copied your "caption contest" idea for my post today.

Z in Villigen Switzerland

Sally said...

Is this what you see hanging from trees along bayou and so on, in so called "southern Gothic" movies?

It is VERY atmospheric.

Anonymous said...

A good vacuum cleaner and an hour of work should take care of that!

angela said...

Most novels set in the South I've read all figure Spanish moss dripping in the humidity mentioned just before someone gets murdered...
I always thought it must be evil...
Thanks for the enlightenment

Lori said...

I've always liked Spanish moss too. I've only been to the south once (to Louisiana) and I saw lots of it there. I think it's very exotic looking. Great photo!

JAM said...

I love Spanish moss, having grown up in Louisiana, it was everywhere and is like seeing an old friend when I see a tree draped in it. I took a botany class once upon a time, and if I remember correctly, Spanish moss is in the same class of plant as pineapple. Weird junk like that sticks with me.

isa said...

Thanks to all for sharing my fascination with the Spanish Moss. I've added the Wiki link to the post now, so all your questions will be answered there. Don't miss the "Folklore" section ;-)

Ming (the plant bigot ;-), Nikon and Abraham - even though the moss is not parasitic, its thick curtain sometimes prevents the sun from getting through to the tree leaves and the tree might die :-(

Kuanyin - I just found out that in Hawaii it is named for Pele the goddess, not Pele, the soccer player :-)

Lavender - WA is not warm and humid enough! I have my favorite caption to yesterday's post, but should we take a vote?

Z - I'll be right over...

Sally - YES, YES and YES!

Janet said...

Yes, indeed! I never grow tired of Spanish Moss here, although I don't have any in my yard. Maybe I will get some!

Chandlermom said...

yes,I love it too, it seems so exotic to me! makes me crave some sweet tea!

GMG said...

I love this blog! Sorry, I can't manage to visit it everyday, but everytime I come back I find some superb shot. Keep running...

tfangel said...

I've always wondered what that stuff was. When i drive down there i see the khudzu (not sure if that's how its spelled) and i guess i just thought it was that but dead. It gives a nice look to the trees.