Spanish moss

Spanish moss, fibrous grayish-green epiphyte ( Tillandsia usneoides ) that hangs on trees of tropical America and the Southern states, also called Florida, southern, or long moss. It is not a true moss but a member of the pineapple family, and has inconspicuous flowers. It is used for stuffing furniture and as a packing material. Spanish moss is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Bromeliales, family Bromeliaceae.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.