Neither Spanish nor a moss Tillandsia usneoides, along with peach trees and live oaks, is often associated with the U.S. antebellum South. Nevertheless, those travelling further afield will discover its silvery-grey thread-like masses trailing at every vantage point southwards as far as Argentina and Chile.
Strands up to 25-feet long absorb moisture from the air so effectively that they can dispense with roots. Indeed, so efficient are they that it can happily exist and even flourish on telephone lines and power wires, much to the displeasure of utility companies, who are forced to repeatedly clear them.