The FSM Theory

It is a common belief that spanish moss kills trees but many studies however, indicate that the plant is not parasitic but can sometimes damage the host tree by over-shading the leaves, thus reducing photosynthesis, or by weighing down and breaking the branches.Here at FSM we have always found it curious that while we do not believe that spanish moss kill trees, the volume of moss on a healthy oak tree does seem to be significantly more where branches are dead and a dead tree always seem to have more moss than a live one.What then is the cause and effect? In the case of the healthy tree, did the moss increase in sufficient volume to block the light resulting in the branch dying? Why then one branch and not the entire tree? Spanish Moss tend to favor trees that have high rates of foliar mineral leaching -- Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphoprous (P) -- providing an abundant supply of nutrients to the plant. For this reason the plant seems to show a preference of growth on southern live oak and bald cypress because of these trees' high rates of foliar leaching. One day on a cloudy day, while sitting in my family room sipping a glass of wine, I witnessed a lightning strike of an oak tree in my back yard. To say it was a frightening experience would be an understatement... the content of my wine glass ended up 6 feet away, about the same distance our cat, who was asleep on the back of the sofa, leapt when the tree was hit. I saw smoke, leaves flying and a split bark from top to bottom... it was scary indeed.The tree, which was a healthy oak tree died and over the weeks and months I noticed something; it was full of spanish moss. Significantly more than was there originally. It was obvious that the moss did not kill the tree and it was even more obvious that the propagation of the moss increased after the tree was struck by lightning. The FSM theory: spanish moss grows in more abundance on dying trees or branches because there are higher rates of foliar mineral leaching of nutrients as the tree dies. This is only a theory. We highly encourange a young bright college researcher to validate this theory as a project. Medical Uses and other Claims about Spanish MossAs a TeaIt was taken, while green, and brewed into tea, for expectant mothers, supposedly to aid the flow of breast milk and make the delivery easier. Tea from the plant was also used as a folk remedy for rheumatism.Infantile EpilepsyIt is claimed that in Mexico, it has been used to treat infantile epilepsy. In the early 1950s, it was used as an estrogen substitute and scientists have found the plant exhibits antibacterial properties.Blood Glucose ReductionOral extracts of Spanish Moss, have been found in a few studies to reduce blood glucose in laboratory animals. The compound primarily responsible is called HMG, short for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid. HMG is now featured as an ingredient in a few herbal diabetic supplements.Anti Aging PropertiesA Japanese cosmetics manufacturer in 2004 that it had discovered an anti-aging property of Spanish moss.The claim, based company's recent research, is that Spanish moss-derived extract can strengthen and protect skin capillaries. In addition, it helps inhibit the functional decline of skin cells. The company has indicated that they have patented the findings through the discovery. Based on the discovery, the company plans to develop a new skin care product. . Live Spanish Moss Freshly Harvested, Retail and Wholesale widely used in the floral industry in upholstery as packing material as mulch buy spanish moss in bulk They are sometimes referred to as air plants because most have aerial roots; however, Spanish-moss does not have any roots. It uses its long, thin, scaly stems to wrap around the host tree and hang down from the branches. The leaves are covered with cup-like, permeable scales that 'catch' moisture and nutrients from the air and from pockets on the surface of the host. This water-trapping ability allows Spanish-moss to withstand long dry periods. In extreme dry spells, the plant becomes dormant until moisture returns. The plants have very tiny seeds that are dispersed by wind and birds. Birds may also carry off small fragments that easily reproduce new plants. Spanish-moss was harvested for years as a stuffing material in automobile seats, furniture, and mattresses. The moss-stuffed mattresses were said to be cooler and more comfortable due to the natural insulating properties of the plant. This was especially important in pre-air-conditioning days. Moss pickers were hired and used long poles to pull the stringy masses off the trees. The plants were then dried and cured before being used.