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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2024

A guard in military uniform directed us past a white plantation house with sweeping balconies and Corinthian columns, through an avenue of live oaks, old and gnarled, and draped with Spanish moss, to the infirmary.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2023

Grits, black-eyed peas and collard greens spoke to us as do warm lazy days, cicadas and trees laden with Spanish moss.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2020

I started thinking the barber should’ve listened to the cap’n; it was a real mistake to’ve cut that Spanish moss moustache off.

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis