Common names: Bony Beard Lichen, deadman's beard.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Usnea trichodea, commonly known as bony beard lichen, is a pale straw-colored fruticose lichen with a pendant growth form. It grows on trees and is native to eastern North America.
Usnea trichodea is a species of fruticose lichen that grows as a pendant or shrub-like thallus, typically 5-15 cm long, with a main stem and numerous branching fibrils. It has a pale green to yellow-green color and a hairy appearance due to the presence of tubular protrusions called isidia. In East and Central Texas, Usnea trichodea is commonly found on trees, particularly oak and cedar, in deciduous and mixed forests, often at elevations below 500 meters. It thrives in areas with moderate to high humidity and partial shade, and is frequently associated with other lichen species such as Parmotrema and Ramalina.
Bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) together with similarly looking Spanish moss (plant) Tillandsia usnoides in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 18, 2018
Bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) knocked down from a tree after a windy day in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 13, 2020
Pendant clump of bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) knocked down from a tree after a windy day in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 13, 2020
Bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) on an elm tree in frequently flooded area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021
Strands of bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) on an elm tree in wet area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021
Pendent strands of bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) on an elm tree at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021
Bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) with apothecia on an elm tree at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021
Trees covered by bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) in wet area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021
Elm trees with bony beard lichen (Usnea trichodea) in wet area at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021In East and Central Texas, observations of Usnea trichodea were made in various locations, including Lick Creek Park and Lake Somerville Trailway. The lichen was found growing on trees, often in pendant clumps or as individual strands. It was commonly seen on elm trees, particularly in areas that are frequently flooded or wet. After windy days, the lichen was observed to have been knocked down from trees, with clumps and strands found on the ground. In some cases, apothecia were present on the lichen, indicating reproductive activity. The species was also seen growing alongside Spanish moss (Tillandsia usnoides) in Lick Creek Park. Overall, Usnea trichodea appears to thrive in wet environments with abundant tree cover in East and Central Texas. Multiple observations were made over several years, from 2018 to 2021, at different locations within the region.
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