Historically, Houma Indians also used the moss in their home building. Eventually, both American and European furniture makers jumped on the Spanish moss bandwagon by stuffing chairs and couches with it. In later years, Henry Ford capitalized on the abundance of this cheap resource by stuffing the seats of Model Ts with it. Bug-ridden or not, our ancestors eliminated the problem by soaking the moss in water and then drying it in the sun before use. However, botanists dispute the idea that bed bugs live in the moss, noting that only one species of hopping spider calls the moss home. Some historians record that the old saying “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” comes from this practice. Not as much in today’s memory-foam society, but Spanish moss was once the mattress and pillow stuffing of choice by Native Americans and early settlers. Not only is the plant completely benign, it has also been most helpful to man. When you come right down to it, Spanish moss is nothing more than a simple air plant, living in a symbiotic relationship with the trees. Such is not the case, as the plants are not parasitic, instead taking nutrients from the moist air and dust particles. Moreover, this utilitarian plant is also wrongly accused of harming its host tree. Rather, it is an epiphyte-a member of the bromeliad and pineapple family. In the first place, this wispy plant is really not a moss at all. No matter where it hangs, Spanish moss’ reputation suffers under two misconceptions. (When seen growing in other tree species, one can safely assume that the moss was blown there by the wind, transferred by birds, or put there by human hand.) It is this signature look that is most likely responsible for the plant’s name: the long, hanging fibers reminded the French of the beards of their Spanish enemies. Most commonly seen on those two trees, the ghostly-grey tendrils might also be seen on crape myrtles and, less commonly, in pine trees. Spanish moss is abundant in our state, especially in South Louisiana where live oaks and bald cypress abound. Tillandsia usneoides, or Spanish moss, depends on the moist air for its survival. But while high humidity can make us feel like we’re smothering, one member of the plant kingdom actually thrives on the damp air. With summer rapidly approaching, thoughts of hot days, trips to the beach, and dreaded high humidity loom large in the mind.
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