Spanish moss is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees, commonly the Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) or Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) in the southeastern United States from Texas and Florida north to Southern Arkansas and Virginia. It is also native to Central and South America. It was introduced to Hawaii in the 19th century, and became a popular ornamental and lei plant. It is often called Pele hair after Pele the Hawaiian goddess. Spanish moss is not a moss, it is a flowering bromeliad plant that grows hanging from tree branches in full sun or partial shade. Spanish moss is an epiphyte which absorbs nutrients (especially calcium) and water from the air and rainfall. Spanish moss is also colloquially known as air plant.
