Usnea strigosa

Bushy beard lichen
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Lecanoromycetes
Order:	Lecanorales
Family:	Parmeliaceae
Genus:	Usnea
Species:	U. strigosa
Binomial name
Usnea strigosa (Ach.) Pers. (1827)
Synonyms
Usnea florida var. strigosaAch. (1803)

Usnea strigosa, commonly known as bushy beard lichen, is a fruticose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae.

Distribution

Usnea strigosa has worldwide distribution. It is a common tree lichen in Eastern and Southeastern North America. ^{[2] [3]}

Description

This lichen is fruticose with 2 to 5 cm long branches and abundant terminal apothecia about 5 mm wide. ^[2]

Taxonomy

Usnea strigosa has three recognized subspecies, major, rubiginea, and strigosa. There are also several chemotypes, bringing the current taxonomy into doubt. ^{[2] [4] [5]}

Ecology

Usnea strigosa grows on trees. The most frequent hosts of this lichen are oak trees. ^[3] The photosynthetic symbionts of Usnea species are Chlorophyta green algae.

References

1. NatureServe. "Usnea strigosa". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
2. "CNALH - Usnea strigosa". http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxauthid=1&taxon=54697&cl=1191 (accessed 10 Jan, 2015).
3. "Lichens USGA -- identification Guide -- Discover Life".http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Lichens_USGA (accessed 10 Jan, 2015).
4. "ITIS Standard Report page - Usnea strigosa". https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=190835 (accessed 10 Jan, 2015).
5. "Strigose Beard Lichen (Usnea strigosa)". http://eol.org/pages/2858846/overview (accessed 10 Jan, 2015),