All photographs copyright (2003-2013) by Kris H. Light
Bushy Beard Lichen
Usnea strigosa
Oak Ridge, TN
January 28, 2009
This strange lichen likes to grow on Maple trees. We have Silver Maples (unfortunately!) in our yard, it is very common to find this strange lichen on the ground after a windy day. Lichens just use tree bark as a substrate to grow on, they do not damage the tree. The flat, fringed patches are the reproductive bodies, called apothecia.
Usnea strigosa
Oak Ridge, TN
January 28, 2009
This strange lichen likes to grow on Maple trees. We have Silver Maples (unfortunately!) in our yard, it is very common to find this strange lichen on the ground after a windy day. Lichens just use tree bark as a substrate to grow on, they do not damage the tree. The flat, fringed patches are the reproductive bodies, called apothecia.