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Bryoria glabra: Shiny Horsehair Lichen

Bryoria glabra, also known as Shiny Horsehair Lichen or Wire Horsehair Lichen, is a fascinating lichen species with a wide distribution. This page provides information on its classification, habitat, and other interesting details.

Considerations for Pets

• This lichen is often found on tree trunks and twigs, potentially within reach of pets exploring outdoors.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bryoria glabra (Motyka) Brodo & D. Hawksw.
• Common Names: Shiny Horsehair Lichen, Wire Horsehair Lichen
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Ascomycota
• Class: Ascomycetes
• Order: Lecanorales
• Family: Parmeliaceae
• Synonyms:
  • Alectoria glabra Motyka
  • Bryopogon glaber (Motyka) Bystrek

Distribution and Habitat

• Bryoria glabra has a global occurrence in the Americas (including North America and Mexico) and the Arctic.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • British Columbia, Canada (Clearwater Valley)
  • Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
  • Wenatchee National Forest, USA
  • Finland (newly reported)
  • European Russia (newly reported)
  • Norway, NordTroendelag, Grong
• It is often found on birch (Betula) and spruce (Picea) trees in mixed forests.
• It can also be found on pine (Pinus) twigs and north-facing basalt cliffs in shaded areas.
• It thrives in moist forest and shrubland environments.

Morphological Characteristics

• The thallus (lichen body) can be very dark brown, almost black.
• Branches are described as slender (less than 0.2 mm).
• The branches have distinctly wiry angles between the main branches and can be even or uneven in diameter.
• It can be shiny.

Ecological Role

• Bryoria is a genus of lichenized fungi that has a widespread distribution, especially in boreal and cool temperate areas.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is often found growing on tree trunks and twigs.

Further Information

• Discover Life: Offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Bryoria glabra.
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): Provides taxonomic information on Bryoria glabra.
• LIAS: A Global Information System for Lichenized and Non-Lichenized Ascomycetes.
• Index Fungorum: Accessed for information on Bryoria glabra.
• TERMIUM: The Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank.
• Snake River Plains (SRP) herbarium at Boise State University: A museum of plant, fungal, and lichen specimens.
• ABMI (Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute): Provides distribution maps showing where they have detected this species.