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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Spanish moss¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

Spanish moss hangs low from the trees, and we have to hold it back like curtains.

From Literature

For example, in a model of the Sun’s surface, we use Spanish moss to create the dynamic texture of the Sun.

From Salon

Spanish moss hangs from branches of black cypress trees like funeral veils.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite a massive daily cleanup operation that leaves the post-parade landscape remarkably clean, uncaught beads dangle from tree limbs like Spanish moss and get ground into the mud under the feet of passers-by.

From Seattle Times

The film is imbued with references to classical Hollywood, but it’s also decidedly of its own moment, when the juke joints were built on swamps and where Spanish moss drips from the oak trees.

From Los Angeles Times