Moss, uses thereof ?

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santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
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Florida
I always knew it was native to our southeast rather than an import from Spain (I assume the "Spanish" became part of the name because it was native mostly in colonies originally belonging to Spain?) But I never knew that it wasn't a true moss. Thanks DaveO
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
8,064
7,856
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I always knew it was native to our southeast rather than an import from Spain (I assume the "Spanish" became part of the name because it was native mostly in colonies originally belonging to Spain?) But I never knew that it wasn't a true moss. Thanks DaveO

This is why, when describing plants etc., we should use the scientific name even if it does sound affected/pedantic at times. In the UK I think there are at least two plants with the 'common' name Old Man's Beard depending where in the country you are!

For example, for Spanish Moss - Tillandsia usneoides - the Native American Ethnobotany database comes up with: Houma - decoction for chills and fever, cordage and floor mats from the cordage; Seminole - tanning of hide.
 
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santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
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LOL. True to a large extent. That said, the images I posted were among the first ones that came up when I did a google search for Spanish Moss images.
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
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McBride, BC
Latin binomial (genus & species) names are the singular and universal form of species identification. Everybody on earth understands.
Common names are, to a large degree, locally derived and thus confusing. Look up the real names. Learn them and use them.

Of course, using the term 'Sphagnum' (a genus of mosses) shows me that we are all willing to use the same word for the same thing!

Ask for an animal called a "gopher" here in North America.
Depending on location, you will be offered a Ground Squirrel, a turtle or a snake.
 

Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
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Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Juniperus Communis .
Ok?

It is the extra prickly one.. Berries good as a seasoning herb for various wild meats like hare, rabbit, moose, Bambi, Rudolf.
Gopher too maybe?
Even whale, but that is a fish as it lives in water! No?
:)

Plus Genever and Gin. Aldi's Gin just won one of the top prizes at a comp.
Cheap does not mean bad and low quality!
 
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Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
2,294
Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Receipe?

I used to make my own Gin back in Sweden. Better than anything you can buy, Juniper, Rosemary and some wild herbs like Hypericum. A dash of honey and a few crystals of salt ( brings out flavor)

I love cooking!

Next time you guys sit under a Juniper bush for a 'Number Two', pick some berries!
Preferably before you reach for the moss!
 

daveO

Native
Jun 22, 2009
1,455
515
South Wales
Latin binomial (genus & species) names are the singular and universal form of species identification. Everybody on earth understands.
Common names are, to a large degree, locally derived and thus confusing. Look up the real names. Learn them and use them.

Of course, using the term 'Sphagnum' (a genus of mosses) shows me that we are all willing to use the same word for the same thing!

Ask for an animal called a "gopher" here in North America.
Depending on location, you will be offered a Ground Squirrel, a turtle or a snake.

Case in point. You say turtle we say tortoise. Both are technically correct but to most of the world turtles are aquatic reptiles only.
 
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santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
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Florida
.......Ask for an animal called a "gopher" here in North America.
Depending on location, you will be offered a Ground Squirrel, a turtle or a snake.
DaveO beat me too it. Down here in the south (where the gopher tortoises are) we call land critters them turtles too; although technically I thought they were they were tortoises. Read on for they're uses.

Juniperus Communis .
Ok?

It is the extra prickly one.. Berries good as a seasoning herb for various wild meats like hare, rabbit, moose, Bambi, Rudolf.
Gopher too maybe?.....
Yep. Goher tortoises are endabgered now but back during the Great Depression they were known as "Hoover's Chicken."

Case in point. You say turtle we say tortoise. Both are technically correct but to most of the world turtles are aquatic reptiles only.
I'm told that most marine species are called sea turtles as well.
Yep. If it has feet and claws it's a tortoise; if it has flippers it's a turtle. Doesn't matter if it's "aquatic" (freshwater species) or "marine" (sea species)
 

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