I took lots of photos upon arriving here in Gainesville, but my son and I agree this is the most representative of early Spring in north central Florida. Tomorrow when Maddie gets here, the focus will definitely be on her!
According to Wikipedia, Spanish moss is an epiphyte which absorbs nutrients (especially calcium) and water from the air and rainfall. Spanish moss is colloquially known as "air plant".
While it rarely kills the trees it lowers their growth rate by reducing the amount of light to a tree's own leaves. It also increases wind resistance, which can prove fatal to the host tree in a hurricane.
It propagates both by seed and vegetatively by fragments that blow on the wind and stick to tree limbs, or are carried by birds as nesting material.
When you see these curly gray strands hanging from the branches of a tree, you know you are in the South!
Thanks Allie. My wife used to live in Bradenton , Florida. Now we have family in Venice. The Spanish Moss brings such good memories to her. She enjoyed your picture. Nice job.
It actually doesn't look bad, but I would have thought it harmed the trees. Hope you are enjoying yourself so far. I know you will really be enjoying it tomorrow when Maddie gets there.
Spanish moss used to always invoke memories of a time gone by, as in "Gone With the Wind" but then my son attended College of Charleston and lived there afterwards for a couple years after graduating...now, every time I see it, it makes me want to move farther south so it can be a part of my everyday scenery...that and palm trees!
Allison, I've learned something new today...'Spanish Moss'. I read your post today about 365 being a good community ....you forgot to say it is also a 'learning community too' ....BTW, nice composition too :)
March 6th, 2011
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