Spanish moss is a native, perennial epiphytic herb.
Spanish moss is a native, perennial epiphytic herb. It is not Spanish, nor a moss, but a flowering plant. The slender, wiry, long, branching stems (reaching 8m or more) grow as suspended, bluish-gray streamers and garlands draping among tree branches and sometimes telephone lines and fences. There is evidence that Spanish moss was used over 3,000 years ago to make fire-tempered pottery. Although the moss burned away during the firing, the distinctive pattern of the fibers is still evident in the clay pottery. Spanish moss is still used today by many Native American tribes. For example, the Houma and the Koasati use Spanish moss in the construction and decoration of small doll Historic Uses Various Native American tribes, including the Houma and the Seminole, have used Spanish moss for a variety of purposes. When the outer coating of the plant is cleaned away, tough, black, curly inner fibers are exposed. These strong fibers were useful in many ways. There is at least one species of spider that only occurs in Spanish moss and several species of bats including the Seminole bat, roost in clumps of Spanish moss. Livestock The plant is used as fodder for animals. Other Uses Spanish moss is used in flower arrangements and as decorations for handicrafts. For a later treatment of the subject, see Brown, ‘Working Fiber’, p. 91. Spanish Moss as indigenous medicine is discussed in Daniel E. Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany (Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 1998), pp. 7 Clad with the ‘Hair of Trees’ Fig. 4. Tarabe, or Spanish Moss twister, with Spanish Moss thread used in textiles. The item was collected by anthropologist Frank Speck among the Houma tribe of Louisiana in 1939. National Museum of the American Indian, object no. 200925. Fissidens adianthoides is the maidenhair moss used by the Nitinaht native people for bandages. Photo by Michael Lueth. Lüth soothing a wound of a different (sort human), pride The chinese Use (Fissidens figure; 7 figure), 16, burned to put on their heads to encourage hair! (Growth harris). 2002 Chapter 2: Medicines and Antibiotics 9 fermenter in which only water and minerals are needed to nourish the moss, of course in the presence of light and CO 2 (Greenovation). Figure 24. Physcomitrella patens, a source of human proteins and blood-clotting factor IX. Photo by Michael Lueth. lüth There is evidence that Spanish moss was used over 3,000 years ago to make fire-tempered pottery. Although the moss burned away during the firing, the distinctive pattern of the fibers is still evident in the clay pottery. Spanish moss is still used today by many Native American tribes. For example, the Houma and the Koasati use Spanish moss in the construction and decoration of small dolls. Civil War The use of woven spanish moss blankets and saddle pads was adopted by Conferderate calvalry during the civil war. There is at least one species of spider that only occurs in Spanish moss and several species of bats including the Seminole bat, roost in clumps of Spanish moss. Livestock The plant is used as fodder for animals. Other Uses Spanish moss is used in flower arrangements and as decorations for handicrafts. Distribution: Spanish moss is native to the Southeastern United States and Tropical America. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. There is evidence that Spanish moss was used over 3,000 years ago to make fire-tempered pottery. Although the moss burned away during the firing, the distinctive pattern of the fibers is still evident in the clay pottery. Spanish moss is still used today by many Native American tribes. For example, the Houma and the Koasati use Spanish moss in the construction and decoration of small dolls Some, such as the water bear, or moss piglet, actually feed on the moss itself. In northern tundra regions, moss is important food for some large animals. In addition, a number of species of birds use mosses in their nests. Because many mosses are able to grow on rock or on open ground, they are important in preventing soil erosion and in building soil, thus allowing larger plants to move into previously uninhabitable areas. Also, many small insects live in the moist, protected habitat created by these small plants. Textile History, 41 (1), 3–27, May 2010 Clad with the ‘Hair of Trees’: A History of Native American Spanish Moss Textile Industries Max Carocci This article examines textile industries related to the plant known as ‘Spanish Moss’ (Tillandsia usneoides) that were developed by Native Americans over the centuries. 7 Clad with the ‘Hair of Trees’ Fig. 4. Tarabe, or Spanish Moss twister, with Spanish Moss thread used in textiles. The item was collected by anthropologist Frank Speck among the Houma tribe of Louisiana in 1939. National Museum of the American Indian, object no. 200925.
http://www.plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tius.pdf http://floridaspanishmoss.com/mossuses.html http://www.academia.edu/323417/Clad_With_theHair_of_Trees_A_History_of_Native_American_Spanish_Moss_Textile_Industries http://www.bryoecol.mtu.edu/chapters_VOL5/2Medicine.pdf http://floridaspanishmoss.com/mossuses.html http://www.plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tius.pdf http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/08/missouri-mosses http://www.academia.edu/323417/Clad_With_theHair_of_Trees_A_History_of_Native_American_Spanish_Moss_Textile_Industries
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