Usnea hirta is a species of beard lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It was one of 80 lichen species first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 work Species Plantarum. Friedrich Heinrich Wiggers transferred it to the genus Usnea in 1780. The lichen is sensitive to air pollution, and is often used as a biomonitor of sulphur dioxide. Usnea hirta has an extensive worldwide distribution, and it is morphologically variable, which has led to numerous intraspecific taxa (i.e. subspecies, varieties, and forms) being proposed in its taxonomic history.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Bristly Beard Lichen being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Lecanoromycetes
- Order
- Lecanorales
- Family
- Parmeliaceae
- Genus
- Usnea
- Species
- Usnea hirta
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo