ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata) observed in Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, US
iNaturalist: theodoredistel
Urban Ecology
Ballmoss is a fascinating indicator of air quality and urban tree health — if you see it covering trees in your neighborhood, it signals something about your local environment worth paying attention to.
Ballmoss is a small, grey-green plant that doesn't need soil to grow — it pulls moisture and nutrients right from the air and rain. It was spotted living on trees at a university campus in San Antonio, which is pretty typical for this region. Despite looking like it might be harming the trees it clings to, ballmoss is not a parasite; it's just hitchhiking for support.
Key Findings
A confirmed research-grade observation of ballmoss was documented at Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, contributing to citizen science biodiversity records.
Ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata) is an epiphytic bromeliad, meaning it grows on other plants or structures without extracting nutrients from them.
San Antonio falls within the core native range of ballmoss in the US, where it is commonly found in urban and suburban tree canopies.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata) was recorded at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. This air plant thrives without soil, clinging to tree branches and utility wires across the American South and Southwest.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of ballmoss in Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, US.
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Species Mentioned
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Tillandsia recurvata, commonly known as small ballmoss or ball moss, is a flowering plant in the family Bromeliaceae that grows upon larger host plants. It grows well in areas with low light, little airflow, and high humidity, which is commonly provided by southern shade trees, often the southern...