Spanish moss


noun
  1. an epiphytic plant, Tillandsia usneoides, of the southern U.S., having narrow, grayish leaves and growing in long festoons that drape the branches of trees.

Origin of Spanish moss

1
An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Words Nearby Spanish moss

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for Spanish moss

Spanish moss

noun
  1. an epiphytic bromeliaceous plant, Tillandsia usneoides, growing in tropical and subtropical regions as long bluish-grey strands suspended from the branches of trees

  2. a tropical lichen, Usnea longissima, growing as long trailing green threads from the branches of trees

  • Also called: long moss

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