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horsehair lichen
Scientific Name: Bryoria chalybeiformis
Family: Parmeliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Horsehair Lichen: A Detailed Overview
Horsehair lichen refers to several lichen species, notably within the genus Bryoria and sometimes Alectoria. These lichens are characterized by their distinctive, hair-like appearance.
Considerations for Pets
- Horsehair lichen consists of filaments that can be intricately branched and hang from trees. Ingestion of large amounts of lichen material could potentially cause digestive upset.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Primarily Bryoria spp., but also sometimes Alectoria spp. and Sulcaria badia.
- Common Names: Horsehair lichen, black moss, black tree lichen, edible horsehair lichen, tree hair lichen, bear hair, gray horsehair lichen, horsetail lichen.
- Family: Parmeliaceae
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota
- Class: Lecanoromycetes
- Synonyms and Related Terms: horsetail lichen, Iceland moss, thallophytic plant of the division Lichenes.
Distribution and Habitat
- Widespread, especially in boreal and cool temperate areas.
- Frequently found hanging from conifers and less frequently from hardwoods in old-growth forest habitats.
- Examples mentioned include Eastern Washington, the inland temperate rainforests of Canada, Okanagan National Forest in Washington, and Glen Affric.
Morphological Characteristics
- Composed of intricately branched filaments that resemble hair.
- The thallus (lichen body) can range from pale gray to dark smoky brown.
- Slender strands contain long, narrow slits on the surface.
- Some species, like Bryoria furcellata (Burred Horsehair Lichen), have dark brown branches with short pointed side branches.
Ecological Role and Interactions
- Epiphytic: grows on trees, such as lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine.
- Often found alongside other lichens such as wolf lichen (Letharia vulpina).
Quirky Facts
- Some species of horsehair lichen, specifically Bryoria fremontii, have been traditionally used as a food source by indigenous peoples like the Kootenais, Salish, and Blackfeet.
Additional Information
- Bryoria Brodo & D. Hawksw. is a recognized symbol: BRYOR2 in some databases.
- Specimens can be found in collections such as those at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany.