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witch's hair lichen
Scientific Name: Alectoria
Family: Alectoriaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Witch's Hair Lichen (Alectoria sarmentosa)
Also known as Common Witch's Hair Lichen, this fascinating organism is not a plant, but a lichen, a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and a green alga.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- The text mentions "witch's hair lichen extract" used for medicinal purposes, although not directly related to toxicity, it indicates the presence of substances with potential biological activity.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Alectoria sarmentosa (Ach.) Ach.
- Common Name: Witch's Hair Lichen (This common name is also often applied to other Alectoria species).
- Family: Alectoriaceae
- Suborder: Lecanorineae
- Kingdom: Plantae (based on information about Witch's Hair Lichen on Garden Guides, although this is technically incorrect as lichens are not plants)
- Synonyms: The text mentions other Alectoria species such as Alectoria ochroleuca ("Green witch's hair") and Bryocaulon divergens ("Northern fox hair") as having similar common names, suggesting a potential for confusion.
Distribution and Habitat
- Common Witch's Hair Lichen can be found on Douglas fir trees in the Pacific Northwest and on western hemlock near Juneau, Alaska.
- It is also observed in British Columbia, Canada, hanging from dead deciduous trees and on shore pine in the LeConte Wilderness.
- It has also been seen on stone walls in Scilly Isles, England and hanging from vine maples (Acer circinatum).
Morphological Characteristics
- Common Witch's Hair is a hanging lichen, typically 15-30 cm long.
- It is pale green in color and intricately branched.
- It lacks a central strand and does not produce soredia (small structures for asexual reproduction).
- It is a fruticose lichen, meaning it is brush-like and often lacks a distinct top and bottom. It is specifically a pendulous lichen.
Ecology
- Common witch's hair is a sensitive species, meaning it's susceptible to environmental changes.
- The text mentions a "browse line" in arboreal lichens, including Alectoria, suggesting that it serves as a food source for some animals.
Quirky Facts
- The lichen is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae, with the algae giving it its greenish color.
Further Information
- More information can be found in the Encyclopedia of Life.
- Photos are available from the U.S. Forest Service and Bob Armstrong's Photos on naturebob.com.
- The Australian Plant Names Index contains data on Alectoria nigricans.