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Pink Camellia
Spanish Moss Dream
Trumpet vine, Hummingbird vine (Campsis radicans)
Train tracks snack
Spanish Moss (bromeliad)
As Florida climate is subtropical (North and Central) and tropical (South) Spanish Moss, which is an epiphytic flowering plant (growing on trees), thrives. In French Polynesia is known as "grandpas beard".
Its scientific name Tillandsia usneoides means "resembling Usnea", the beard lichen.
Its scientific name Tillandsia usneoides means "resembling Usnea", the beard lichen.
The "hair from trees" was used commercially as upholstering material (read about the thriving industry in this 1937 article).
The tropical and subtropical plant is used in the desert regions of the southwestern United States in the manufacture of alternative, less expensive, air conditioning, the evaporative coolers (swamp coolers, desert coolers). Naturally these can be used only in low-humidity areas: "A pump squirts water onto a pad made of Spanish-moss plants. A fan then pulls air through the pad and into the building. Evaporation of the water on the pads serves to reduce the air temperature, thus cooling the building". These are great coolers as fresh air comes in and warm indoor air escapes partially opened windows. Learn more.
Wood storks (Mycteria americana)
Considered to be threatened in United States this tropical and subtropical bird needs fluctuating water levels (Everglades levee and drainage system is not favorable). Only 31% of nests (3-5 chicks) fledge a chick in any given year.
Charles Usinas Memorial Hwy Bridge over Saint Sebastian River
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