(Bristly Beard Lichen)
Usnea hirta, Indiana Creek, Summit Co. 1666
Usnea hirta, Indiana Creek, Summit Co. 1680
Usnea hirta, Indiana Creek, Summit Co. 1675
| Scientific Name | Usnea hirta | USDA PLANTS Symbol | USHI60 |
| Common Name | Bristly Beard Lichen | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 190805 |
| Family | Parmeliaceae | Lichen Herbaria Consortium Ref. |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Up to subalpine (11800 ft.); on bark and dead trees or wood, very rarely on rock. General: The shrubby-bushy thallus (body of the plant) is fused only in one place with the substrate, and is gray to yellowish greenish and reaches to about 2 inches in length and width. The branches are very thin, up to about 0.6 mm thick (rarely more), partially edged and have inside a tough, white central strand. Characteristic are a bright base and numerous thorn-like protruding, long and thin isidia. Fruit bodies (apothecia) are very rare. It is sensitive to air pollution, and is often used to monitor sulphur dioxide. References: Picture Mushroom, Wikipedia and Lichen Herbaria Consortium. |
Colorado Status | Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains