Usnea strigosa

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.

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

Taxonomy
Usnea strigosa has three recognized subspecies, major, rubiginea, and strigosa. There are also several chemotypes, bringing the current taxonomy into doubt.

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