Tillandsia usneoides - Air Plant - Spanish moss
Tillandsia usneoides - Air Plant - Spanish moss Plant
Tillandsia usneoides - Air Plant - Spanish moss

Spanish moss – Air Plant – Tillandsia usneoides

R35.00

Plant ± 16 g in weight

Out of stock

Add to Wishlist
Add to Wishlist
Categories: , , Tags: , , ,

Description

Tillandsia usneoides is a rootless, perennial epiphyte that typically wraps around and hangs from branches or slabs of bark of host trees. It has stringy gray stems with alternate thin, curved, or curly, heavily scaled leaves.



Family:

Bromeliaceae

Genus:

Common Name(s):

Thick Spanish Moss, Old Man's Beard

Mature Size:

Individual strands 30 - 90 cm in length

Origin:

Mexico, Central & South America

Dormancy:

Below 10°C & Drought

Flower Colours:

Yellow-green - pale Blue

Bloom Season:

Spring & Summer (Monocarpic)

Sun Exposure:

Bright, filtered sunlight

Watering:

Submerge (15 - 30 min) every 7 - 10 days

Temperatures:

15 - 30°C

Toxic:

No

 

Traditional uses

Fevers and chills, wound healing, respiratory issues, and hormonal balance. Traditional uses also include treating rheumatism, diabetes, and haemorrhoids.

Modern research findings

Antimicrobial

An antibacterial compound from Spanish moss has shown effectiveness against Staphylococcus bacteria.

Diabetes

Extract from the plant has shown potential to reduce blood glucose in animal studies.

Antitumor

Some studies suggest potential antitumor and immunomodulatory effects, although further research is required.

Antioxidant

The plant is known to have antioxidant properties.

Important considerations

Modern application

Many modern studies focus on extracting specific compounds rather than using the raw plant.

Related products