Synonyms: Usnea barbata, Usnea florida, Usnea rubiginea.
Common name: Bushy beard lichen.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Usnea strigosa, commonly known as bushy beard lichen, is a lichen in the family Parmeliaceae.
Usnea strigosa is a species of fruticose lichen that grows as a pendant or shrub-like thallus, typically 5-15 cm long, with a pale greenish-yellow to yellow-green color. It has a smooth, cylindrical main axis and numerous short, branched fibrils. In East and Central Texas, Usnea strigosa is commonly found on trees, particularly oak and cedar, in woodland edges and open woods, often in areas with moderate to high humidity. It is widely distributed in the region, including the Edwards Plateau, Post Oak Savannah, and Piney Woods ecoregions.
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a downed limb in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 26, 2013
Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close up of bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a downed limb in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 26, 2013Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a fallen oak twig in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 22, 2019Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a fallen oak twig in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2019Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) fallen from an oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 18, 2019Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) fallen from an oak on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 16, 2019Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on small trees or bushes in half-open area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 21, 2019805 Lakeview Ln, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) with apothecia on small trees or bushes in half-open area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 21, 2019805 Lakeview Ln, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) fallen from an oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 23, 202014802 Rock Prairie Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a small tree or a bush in half-open area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, January 26, 2020705 Lakeview Ln, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) with apothecia on a small tree or a bush in half-open area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, January 26, 2020705 Lakeview Ln, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a bush in half-open area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, January 26, 2020801 Lakeview Ln, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on a twig of upland swamp-privet bush at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021Lakeview Drive, Burleson County, Texas, United States
Tissues (in KOH solution) of fallen from a tree bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa), collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 23, 2022
Tissues (in Congo Red solution) of fallen from a tree bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa), collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 23, 2022
Asci and spores of fallen from a tree bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa), collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 23, 2022
Tissues (in iodine solution) of fallen from a tree bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa), collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 23, 2022
Knocked down bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) on oak twigs on Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 19, 2022Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Twig of elm tree with folious lichens Teloschistes exilis, Parmotrema hypotropum, Usnea strigosa when exposed to regular daylight as well as when illuminated by a 365 nm ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight from a trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, August 28, 2024Observations of Usnea strigosa in East and Central Texas reveal that this lichen species is commonly found on downed limbs, fallen oak twigs, and small trees or bushes in half-open areas. It has been spotted in various locations, including Lick Creek Park, Sam Houston National Forest, and Lake Somerville Trailway. The lichen grows in a bushy, beard-like formation and can be found with apothecia, which are cup-like structures that produce spores. In some cases, the lichen has fallen from trees, suggesting that it may be sensitive to environmental conditions. Microscopic examination of the lichen's tissues using various solutions, such as KOH, Congo Red, and iodine, has provided further insight into its structure and composition. Additionally, the lichen has been observed to fluoresce under ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight, which can aid in identification. Overall, Usnea strigosa appears to be a widespread and relatively common species in East and Central Texas.
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