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horsehair lichen
Scientific Name: Bryoria lanestris
Family: Parmeliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Horsehair Lichen: A Detailed Overview
Horsehair lichen refers to several lichen species, especially those within the genus Alectoria, characterized by a thallus (the main body of the lichen) composed of filaments resembling hair.
Common Names
- Horsehair Lichen
- Black Moss
- Black Tree Lichen
- Edible Horsehair
- Tree Hair Lichen
- Bear Hair
- Horsetail Lichen
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota
- Class: Lecanoromycetes
- Order: Lecanorales
- Family: Parmeliaceae (The genus Bryoria belongs to this family)
Bryoria is a genus of lichenized fungi within the Parmeliaceae family. Some species mentioned include Bryoria fremontii, Bryoria capillaris, Bryoria nadvornikiana, Bryoria nitidula and Bryoria tortuosa and Bryoria furcellata.
Synonyms include horsetail lichen.
Distribution and Habitat
- Widespread distribution, especially in boreal and cool temperate areas.
- Often hangs from conifers, and less frequently hardwoods, in old-growth forest habitats.
- Observed in locations such as eastern Washington (on larch trees), the inland temperate rainforest of Canada, Okanagan National Forest (Washington, USA) and Glen Affric.
Morphological Characteristics
- Composed of intricately branched filaments.
- Thallus is long, pale gray to dark smokey brown, hanging in clumps.
- Slender strands with long, narrow slits on the surface.
Traditional Uses
- Some species, like Bryoria fremontii, have been traditionally used as a food source by indigenous peoples such as the Kootenais, Salish, and Blackfeet.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Often found growing alongside other lichens, such as wolf lichen (Letharia vulpina).
- May be found on trees alongside other lichen species such as green old man's beard lichen.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that some horsehair lichens have been called "edible horsehair", this is primarily related to its historical use as a food source by indigenous people, not its routine use in modern diets.
Quirky Facts
- New species of Bryoria (horsehair lichen) are still being discovered and need new names.
Further Information
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany holds some data on this lichen.