Catherine Gustafson, age 13, or Williamsport, Penn., for her question:

DOES SPANISH MOSS HARM THE TREES?

If you've ever lived or traveled through the southeastern part of the United States or in tropical South America, you know that Spanish moss is a flowering plant that hangs down in lush bunches from trees. The long, slender, grayish stems of Spanish moss look very much like hair hanging from the trees.

Spanish moss is neither a true moss nor a parasite. It is an air plant, and it does not harm the tree on which you'll find it living. The plant has no roots and absorbs water directly from the air.

Long, narrow leaves and small yellow flowers can be seen on the plant. Its stems in parts of the tropics are dried and used to stuff upholstery.