I like Spanish Moss. But it’s not. Moss, that is. Technically, it’s an epiphyte. Here’s some of what the Wikipedia entry says about it:
Spanish moss is an epiphyte (a plant that lives upon other plants; from Greek “epi”=upon “phyte”=plant), which absorbs nutrients (especially calcium) and water from the air and rainfall. Spanish moss is colloquially known as “air plant”.
That this plant absorbs water from the air and rainfall explains why it’s found here in Florida. We’ve got air “thick” with humidity and rainfall.
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Tags: nature, photography
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:39 pm
How odd — it looks like it isn’t Spanish either. Unless you’re including areas colonized by the Spanish, I suppose.(Does it even grow in Europe?)
My first reaction was that maybe it was one of these quasi-oxymorons, when you refer to a group’s noun even though that group doesn’t really have their own noun per se … like “Chinese ravioli” for dumplings, or, I don’t know, “Canadian bacon.” (I know there are more real expressions of this sort, but for some reason I’m blanking on them.) Presumably they do have *moss* in Spain…
September 3rd, 2010 at 7:19 am
WAIT !
There is CALCIUM in air or rain??
September 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Fractals. Love ‘em.
p.s. Never pick up Spanish moss that has been lying on the ground. Chiggers guaranteed.