The giant airplant (Tillandsia fasciculata) is a Bromeliad plant. Unlike most plants, they do not grow in soil. Instead, these non-parasitic plants actually grow on other plants. All nutrients are absorbed through the leaves, so they don't really cause damage to their host plants.
In Big Cypress, these plants are widely spread across the various hammocks, cypress strands, and branches. They have an other-worldly effect on me, likely because though they're found in south Florida, I didn't often see them in the central Florida of my youth.
Quite lovely additions to an already-impressive and lush ecosystem!
Note: I'm about 90% positive of my identification of this species. I know it's definitely genus tillandsia and I'm pretty darn sure it's T. fasciculata. If you can confirm (or correct) this identification, I'd appreciate it!
Here's another photo of a giant airplant from the following morning. This one was just above and to the side of where I camped overnight:
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