Features

• Epiphytic plants grow on other plants. They make their own food and don't rely on a host in order to live, according to the University of Florida. Spanish moss is rootless and adheres to trees by wrapping itself around the trees with its stems. It captures its own food and water in the air. Spanish moss repopulates by spreading seeds by the wind and birds. The plant is hardy and survives dry spells by becoming dormant through drought conditions.
  
  

Uses

• Spanish explorers of the 17th century used Spanish moss as kindling for fires and as a mortar component, according to the University of Houston. Later, the plant was a popular stuffing material. Today, Spanish moss is used as a mulch for plants, it is home to various insects, and birds collect it to use in their nests.
  
  

Dangers

• While Spanish moss is relatively harmless, it has the potential to damage trees. In some instances, the plant blocks sunlight to the tress, hindering the photosynthesis process. The weight of the Spanish moss may cause branches to break off the trees. If handling Spanish moss, be aware of chigger bugs living in the plants, which may cause a skin rash.