Usnea strigosa

Bushy beard lichen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
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. strigosa Ach. (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.[1][2]

Description

This lichen is fruticose with 2 to 5 cm long branches and abundant terminal apothecia about 5 mm wide.[1]

Taxonomy

Usnea strigosa has three recognized subspecies, major, rubiginea, and strigosa. There are also several chemotypes, bringing the current taxonomy into doubt.[1][3][4]

Ecology

Usnea strigosa grows on trees. The most frequent hosts of this lichen are oak trees.[2] The photosynthetic symbionts of Usnea species are Chlorophyta green algae.

References

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


Stub icon

This Parmeliaceae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.