Tendril of Spanish Moss
Fun Fact 1 - Spanish
Moss is neither Spanish nor moss.
I don’t know how
many times we heard this over the course of our trip. A guide or ranger told us this on practically every single tour
or guided walk we were on.
Spanish Moss is a actually a bromeliad (all the guides said it is related to the pineapple), and native to the Americas.
Fun Fact 2 - Spanish
Moss prompted the first automotive recall.
Henry Ford stuffed
the seats of his first Model T's with Spanish moss. He had to do a recall when it turned out that little
red bugs called chiggers live in Spanish Moss and were biting drivers on their
rear ends.
We heard this numerous
times over our trip as well. Not sure if is actually true or just a good story to
tell tourists. It is more likely that chiggers are found in moss that has
fallen to the ground than what is up in the trees.
Fun Fact 3 - The Spanish
Moss Trail is a rails-to-trails bike path in Beaufort County, SC.
Many trees along the way are draped with, you
guessed it -Spanish Moss.
