Acacia tree completely covered by bromeliads (small ballmoss, Tillandsia recurvata)
Tillandsia recurvata derives mainly physical support and not nutrition from its host; it photosynthesizes its own food, absorbing water that collects on its leaves. It obtains nitrogen from bacteria, and other minerals largely from blown dust. Though not a harmful parasite in the same sense as plants such as mistletoes that feed on the sap of the host, Ball Moss may compete with a host tree for sunlight and some nutrients, and by restricting available surface area for new branch sprouts; however, except on stressed host trees (, in some urban settings) it rarely has a noticeable effect on growth or health.
Size: 3008px × 2000px
Location: Tepotzotlan, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
Photo credit: © Guillermo Lopez Barrera / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: acacia, ball, bromeliad, bromeliads, dam, dead, dry, epiphyte, farnesiana, lake, mexico, moss, recurvata, small, tillandsia, tree
