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.
The Usnea species of lichens have a central core made up of hyphae strands called the axis; it gives the branches rigidity. This core can be revealed by gently pulling the green cortex and medulla layers off. The axis is an identifying characteristic for this genus.
(yellow) Teloschistes exilis Bastrop, TX March 26, 2009 When Kenny and I went to Central Texas during Spring Break of 2009, I was amazed at the incredible variety of lichens I saw on the trees and rocks! There were lots of twigs on the ground with mixtures of lichens on them due to a wind storm earlier that morning.
