Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is a common "air plant" found in many southern states. It's northernmost range is Virginia Beach. Spanish Moss is found in eastern North Carolina and on Ocracoke, but there are only patchy quantities of it on the island. 

Spanish Moss on Lawton Lane

Spanish Moss is an epiphyte (not a moss, in spite of its name), which means it absorbs minerals (mainly calcium) and water from its host tree and rainfall. It has no aerial roots. This plant is typically found on southern live oaks because of the beneficial minerals that leach from the leaves.

Spanish Moss can be seen growing on trees on Lawton Lane, the Back Road, and elsewhere throughout the village.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to a wonderful man who did much for Ocracoke Island, Marvin Wyche Howard (1897-1969). You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052113.htm.