Specimen #4 Witches' Whiskers Lichen

Figure 1- Witches' Whiskers Lichen in comparison to pencil

Figure 2-Usnea Florida close up to show apothecia

Figure 3-Close up of Witches' Whiskers Lichen with foliose thallus visible 

Figure 4- Sample of Usnea Florida 

Name: Usnea florida- Witches' Whiskers Lichen

Family:  Parmeliaceae

Collection Date:  10/04/10

Habitat: Hangs off of twig

Location: West Fork, Little Colorado River near Sheep’s Crossing

Description: Long established genus, characterized by a pale greenish to yellowish, pendulous to tufted, fruticose thallus, variously branched but usually with short fibrils perpendicular to the main trunk. Has a cord running through main stem.

Collector:  Matt Wilson

Keying Information:

Key used: Ray E. Showman and Don G. Flenniken 2004 The Macrolichens of Ohio Ohio Biological Survey Columbus, OH

Pages 18, 24, 25, 236

Keying Steps: 

1. Thallus fruticose or cladoniform..61

61. Thallus bush-like..62

62. Thallus green..63

63. Thallus elongate..tufted..64

64. Thallus with upper and lower surfaces..68

68. Thallus cylindrical..70

70. Interior with a solid, threadlike core..71

71. Interior with a hard, threadlike core..Usnea

Links

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/iyb/nameaspeciescompetition/Usneaflorida.aspx