Spanish moss

American  

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.

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Spanish moss British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of Spanish moss

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

High in the Andean mountains of Ecuador, Tony, a large, male spectacled bear, shelters from the midday heat beneath the shade of a century-old fig tree draped in Spanish moss.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2025

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

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2024

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 • Dec. 22, 2023

“Wouldn’t it be cool to have hanging Spanish moss trailing down to your hibiscus sitting next to you?”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2023

In Louisiana, Mom had us climb up on the roof of the car and pull down tuffs of Spanish moss hanging from the tree branches.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls