F LORA & FAUNA
SPANISH MOSS
Tillandsia usneoides
Surrounded by persistent myths, this plant is often said to harbor chiggers or harm trees, though a study of over 3,000 samples found no chiggers. As an epiphyte, it has no roots and absorbs nutrients and moisture from the air while using branches only as perches. Many animals nest in it or use it as building material, including bats, warblers, and Northern parulas. A tiny jumping spider, Pelegrina tillandsiae, is found only within Spanish moss, adding to its ecological intrigue.
LITTLE BROWN JUG
Hexastylis arifolia
An evergreen groundcover about eight inches tall, it features jewel-like foliage and prefers part shade and moist soil. Its common name refers to its unusual flowers, formed by fused sepals resembling miniature jugs. These blooms are typically hidden beneath the leaves and pollinated by ground-dwelling insects. When photographing this subtle native plant, try to capture both its lush foliage and the distinctive jug-shaped flowers that reveal its botanical charm and the quiet beauty of forest-floor species.
84 • CONSERVANCY OF THE SEA ISLANDS