Bushy Beard Lichen

Usnea strigosa

''Usnea strigosa'', Bushy Beard Lichen, is a lichen in the family Parmeliaceae.
Bushy Beard Lichen - Usnea strigosa Habitat: Growing on a hardwood stick, probably oak; coastal forest Bushy Beard Lichen,Geotagged,Parmeliaceae,Summer,United States,Usnea strigosa,fruticose lichen,lichen,usnea

Appearance

This lichen is fruticose with 2 to 5 cm long branches and abundant terminal apothecia about 5 mm wide.
Usnea strigosa Description: Fruticose, shrubby, pale green lichen. Thallus (vegetative tissue) is shrubby with multiple branches, primary branches sometimes ending in apothecia. Usnea strigosa is a genus within the Parmeliaceae family of lichens. Lichens are composite organisms comprised of fungal filaments being inhabited by algae or cyanobacteria. Most members of this particular family have symbiotic relationships with green algae. These algae perform photosynthesis and provide a food source for the fungus. Habitat: On leaf litter on the floor of a mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in Northwest Georgia. Ascomycota,Bushy Beard Lichen,Fall,Fungi,Geotagged,Lecanorales,Lecanoromycetes,Lichen,Parmeliaceae,United States,Usnea,Usnea strigosa,fungus,lichens

Distribution

''U. strigosa'' has worldwide distribution. It is a common tree lichen in Eastern and Southeastern North America.
Bushy Beard Lichen (Usnea strigosa group) Growing on a hardwood branch. Bushy Beard Lichen,Geotagged,United States,Usnea strigosa,Winter,lichen,lichens

Habitat

''U. strigosa'' grows on trees. The most frequent hosts of this lichen are oak trees. The photosynthetic symbionts of ''Usnea'' species are Chlorophyta green algae.

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Taxonomy
KingdomFungi
DivisionAscomycota
ClassLecanoromycetes
OrderLecanorales
FamilyParmeliaceae
GenusUsnea
SpeciesU. strigosa
Photographed in
United States of America