Old Man's Beard Tillandsia usneoides
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Old Man's Beard:
- Phonetic Spelling
- til-LAND-see-uh us-nee-OY-deez
- Description
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Spanish moss is an 'air plant' in the bromeliad family. It is noted for its weeping silver leaves that dangle down from old or dead trees. It is often found near rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is native to the southeastern USA from NC to Texas along the coastal plain in high humidity areas.
The slender long stems attach themselves to trees and sometimes fences for support. The plant has no roots and the gray scales on stems and leaves are means of obtaining moisture and nutrition. It needs high humidity and pollution-free conditions to grow. It will need occasional pruning to prevent it from becoming too heavy and causing branch breakage or causing too much shading for the tree. It can be grown indoors with regular mistings and humid conditions.
It can be used as mulch, a packing material, insulation or for arts and crafts.
Quick ID
- Dense, drooping, gray moss-like clump has no roots
- Leaves are cylindrical & covered with gray scales
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tillandsia
- Species:
- usneoides
- Family:
- Bromeliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The fibers were woven into a coarse cloth that was used for bedding, floor mats and horse blankets. The fibers could be twisted into cordage that was used as rope. Many other uses for this plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE North America, South America
- Distribution:
- SE USA from NC to texas
- Wildlife Value:
- Several species of bats including the Seminole bat roost in clumps of Spanish moss. Yellow-throated warblers and northern parulas build their nests inside clumps of living Spanish moss. Several other species of birds gather the moss for nesting material. There is at least one species of spider that only occurs in Spanish moss. It has been used as fodder for cattle.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Weeping
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Small capsuled fruit with seeds that have hairy sails to float on the wind and stick to tree branches.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence is a very short terminal spike. Flowers are solitary, terminal, fragrant, pale blue or green; petals <.5 inch; bracts gray, scale-like. Blooms for 3-4 months in summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are awl-shaped alternate, simple, linear, entire, cylindrical (terete), succulent, gray-green, densely covered with absorbent gray scales, to 1.5- 3 inches.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stem is wiry, flexuous, with widely spaced internodes to 2.5 inches. It can hang down up to 20 inches long.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Houseplants
- Pond
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
