Spanish Moss

February 2

I am thankful for Spanish moss. It grows upon trees in warm and humid climates in the southeastern United States. I like it because it is often associated with my favorite tree, the bald cypress, and gives it an elegant and mystical look. It creates a mood which defines Southern. It is an epiphyte, meaning that it obtains its water and nutrients from the air, making it a so-called air plant. Therefore, it is not a parasite, as some people think, but rather a plant that drapes over the tree so it can have maximum air exposure. It may take some nutrients from the tree but only those nutrients excreted by the tree. I like to think that it insulates the tree from the harshness of the sun at times and creates a more dense shade than otherwise present from the tree alone.

When my family moved to Louisiana in the early 1960s, Spanish moss was prevalent on the oak and cypress trees. Over the years it seemed to decline in Louisiana (my theory is that is disappeared due to air pollution and auto emissions) but I am happy to say that in recent years there has been a resurgence of Spanish moss in Baton Rouge and Louisiana.

This photo was taken of a Spanish moss draped tree in a yard a few blocks from my house. I have always been intrigued by this tree over the years. I especially like the way the sun seems to glow through parts of the moss in this particular photo.

spanish moss

spanish moss

draped over southern trees

a shadowy mood

a flowing  memory

spanish moss

reminds me of you

reminds even of me

like a southern belle

ghost like

elegant and flowing

mysterious  and pretty

gracefulness and knowing.

© rt tulley