Saturday, March 10, 2012

All U need to Know about Ball Moss

 I took these macro to show you the detail in the small plant from yesterday's post, below looks like spider webs, but is the spore flying around spreading these plants
 Local spread of Ball Moss is by seeds sprouting from bird droppings on stems of shrubs and trees, or perhaps from windblown seed  Wikipedia

Every tree in our back yard has ball moss, just never saw it before.

Medicinal

Ball Moss has shown significant anti-tumor and HIV/AIDS applications in vitro as well as in animal studies.[citation needed] Dr. Henry Lowe of Jamaica has applied for a US patent for a Ball Moss extract which induces tumorous cell death by apoptosis. [7

 It grows in Texas so click here for interesting things about it

28 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

It looks like Science fiction to me, very weird and otherworldly.

SquirrelQueen said...

I had never thought about it having medicinal properties. It was always just a cute little houseplant to me. Great close ups of this intriguing and useful plant.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

I have never seen it before? Very interesting.. I once had a German book which showed all the natural plants and how to use them.

Ruth Hiebert said...

That is very interesting. I hope it is not harmful to the host plant.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Golly gal those are some awesome close shots of the moss ball and the seeds flying out. I now remember when we were in fl we did buy a frig magnet with one of these plants on it. Every so often I would mist it.

Deborah said...

Can you say that in laymen terms please! LOL
Have a great weekend my friend :)
xxoo
Deborah

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Another possibility of a form of a natural cure! Wonderful...

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."
~~William Wordsworth

Sandy said...

Great closeups. They are very interesting to look at. (o:

TexWisGirl said...

thanks for that link to the texas tree guy. funny, i just picked up a branch yesterday morning that had fallen into the yard. it had long finger-strings of 'lichen' growing on it. i bet it is a type of ball moss, although not as stringy looking as the type you have there. seemed more grass blade like. :)

Susannah said...

Another very interesting post. Thanks for the close ups. Good shots.

Susannah

Marie said...

This is some very interesting info Sandra. Had no idea that the moss may be used for medicine. Great news and really cool!

barbara l. hale said...

Thanks for the information about ball moss. Who knew?! Very interesting and important stuff.

Anonymous said...

Nice photos, and interesting to get to know about Ball moss, never thought that it would have any medical features. Hope you're having a great Saturday!

Eva

Ginny Hartzler said...

What IS this header?? It is BEYOND cool!!!! Looks like maybe a stack of two pitchers that make art? And the beads really make it pop!

Rose said...

Very interesting, Sandra. I had no idea!

My Mind's Eye said...

OMC those are some very interesting plants. You had a very nice day to for a walkabout and photo session
Hugs Madi

theconstantwalker said...

One of the reasons I enjoy blogging is I learn something new every day... a wonderful post and backed up by your lovely images..

Re my sons trip to Florida it's all about Disney etc..
Take care Drew

Angela said...

Very interesting looking moss! I've never seen anything like it.

Dawning Inspiration said...

Very interesting.... very. Cool, too.

EG CameraGirl said...

It's rather pretty when it's growing. I can see why tourists want to take some home.

Ann said...

so does this stuff harm the plants that it's on at all? It's really very cool looking.

S. Etole said...

The seeds remind me somewhat of milkweed seeds. What an unusual moss.

Chatty Crone said...

Is this Spanish Moss and did you not see it on there without the camera? sandie

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

That's very intersting. Love moss regardless--especially Spanish moss on old oaks.

Debra Dickinson said...

Your blog made me sneeze! LOL. Great pictures, good capture of the pollen spreading. Way wicked banner BTW. Wow. I lived in Austin Texas for a very long time. Ball Moss is everywhere and yes, it can harm trees. The Tree Tender's article was a great one for the specifics of how. Thanks for sharing!

Kilauea Poetry said...

Good morning Sandra (I'm going to hit the sack shortly) Sounds very encouraging and helpful! Very lovely captures too Sandra! Hope you are doing well-:)

DawnTreader said...

"You've got an eye for detail" ;)

Scott Law said...

Very interesting. You would never guess something like that would have a good purpose.