Tree Hair, Ocklawaha River 2012

Tree Hair, Ocklawaha River 2012

Closely related to pineapples, the indigenous people called the bromeliad known for draping Southern canopies “tree hair.” The French thought it look like conquistador beards, and their mocking moniker caught on and is probably why it is now known as “Spanish moss.” We do not know what tribe it was that called it “tree hair,” but the name makes more sense to me. Especially when there is a breeze like there was this spring day on the Ocklawaha River. The billowy spectacle it created was more luminous than even the best model’s hair in a shampoo advertisement.

Small: 8” x 10” – $100.00 | Medium: 20” x 16” – $200.00 | Large: 50” x 40” – $560.00