Usnea trichodea

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Bony beard lichen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Usnea
Species:
U. trichodea
Binomial name
Usnea trichodea
Ach. (1803)

Usnea trichodea, commonly known as bony beard lichen,[1] is a pale straw-colored fruticose lichen with a pendant growth form. It grows on trees and is native to eastern North America.

Description

Usnea trichodea hangs from the branches and twigs of trees and can reach a length of 30 cm (12 in). The main branches are smooth and slender, with a diameter of less than 0.4 mm (0.02 in); they send out side branches at an obtuse angle at intervals. The

Usnea longissima but the branching structure and reddish axis are distinctive.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Usnea trichodea occurs in eastern North America where it grows on trees. Its range extends from

Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and eastern Quebec in Canada, southwards to Texas and Florida in the United States.[1]

Ecology

Some lichens are extremely sensitive to pollution, and it has been found that Usnea trichodea and

sulphur dioxide. These lichens can be used as indicators of air pollution.[3]

Researchers found that in Nova Scotia, the

conifers, the majority of which were species of spruce.[4] The authors of the study speculated that the tricolored bats might use the lichen, which contains usnic acid, to reduce parasitism, as the bats were found to be free of ectoparasites.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Usnea trichodea - Ach". NatureServe. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  2. ISBN 978-0-300-08249-4
    .
  3. ISBN 1-111-79687-4
    .
  4. ^
    S2CID 86543052
    .
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