The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-05-30
Long Gray Moss.


Editor PALATKA NEWS:
The long gray moss known as Spanish
moss. is very abundant and a common
product of Florida. It is both useful and
ornamental. There are some erroneous
ideas prevailing in relation to the condi.
ton of its growth. One of the errors
prevailing is that it is entirely an air
plant, and receives no aid or assistance
towards its growth from any other source
than the atmosphere. If this theory IS
true, it is hard to account for some
things, thus; why does it flourish in some
sections and not in others where the con-
ditions Of atmosphere are identical: The
moss is found in abundance in some 10
calities when adjacent localities of same
attitude are comparatively free from it.
1t is scarcely possible that the character
of the atmosphere could change perma-
ncntly SO suddenly. If it was dependent
only on the atmosphere it would seem
that it should grow equally well on all
trees dead or alive. But it does not do
so. If a live tree full of moss be killed,
the moss will soon die or disappear, i'll a
great measure. 1t usually dies and
hangs in bands to the dead limbs If
any one believes that moss is an air plant
let him try handful on an iron post or
support where it can get no help from its
resting place.
If you examine the moss closely it
will be found to be parasite and is Sc
curely attached to the bark Of the tree
by roots. 1t may grow to dead wood
if it does it derives assistance from the
moisture of the wood, which moisture
may have some ingredients from the
earth which are carried up the dead tree
by capillary attraction or circulation.
To the writer it appears to be para
site, that gets large portion Of its sub
sistance from the atmosphere, but enough
from the tree to seriously damage the
welfare Of the trees to which it is attach
ed in some instances. This is very ap
parent with fruit trees. If moss take:
possession of a fruit tree and is allowed
to flourish there, just in proportion, the
fruit from these fails. If the moss was
an air plant only, this should not result
l. At any rate the safest plan is to keep il
II fruit trees, if the fruit is desirable.
his an error also. that it grows in al
tmospheres, and is a sure sign o
IS and of an unhealthful condi
II bhe location. If this theory Were
Y the moss should grow more lux
Nv in the FLAT woods" so-callet
Il in high black jack lands. Butsucl
~ not always the case. In travelling
Sthrough the forests Of this state, one ma,
: find in the low flat pine lands almost Al
entire absence of the moss. while on TIN
high sandy pine lands, he will meet i
in abundance both on the pines anC
oaks While of course it is found il
abundance in low moist place:
it is also found in abundance in eIevatet
and much dryer regions; its presence i
not an infallible sign of great moistur
and malaria, nor is its entire absence
sign of dry atmosphere and freedom
from malaria. The writer knows o
healthful sections in which the moss i
abundant at an elevation of 200 fee
above the ocean, and he knows of sickl
sections where there is no moss. There
fore the moss sign for a dry and health
full or the reverse condition of atmCs
phere may as well be taken down for
is not to be depended on. If one wishe
to form correct idea about the health
fitness of any particular section, otEfe
evidences besides the condition OF tn
moss crop had better be considered, 0
there may be a disappointment that Wi
make itself felt even unto the bowels Q
compassion, or words to that effect.