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Horsehair Lichen: A Detailed Overview

Horsehair lichen is a common name applied to several lichen species, particularly those within the genus Bryoria. These lichens are known for their distinctive appearance, resembling draped hair hanging from trees.

Considerations for Pets

• Horsehair lichens are composed of intricately branched filaments that can be fragile and may break off easily.

Considerations for Children

• These lichens grow in old-growth forest habitats, typically hanging in clumps from trees.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bryoria (genus)
• Family: Parmeliaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Bryoria fremontii is sometimes referred to as "tree hair lichen," "black tree lichen," or "edible horsehair."
• Synonym: Alectoria (genus, in some contexts)

Distribution and Habitat

• Horsehair lichens have a widespread distribution, particularly in boreal and cool temperate areas.
• They are often found hanging from conifers (and sometimes hardwoods) in old-growth forest habitats.
• Specific mentions include eastern Washington, Okanagan National Forest (Washington, USA), and the inland temperate rainforest of Canada.

Morphological Characteristics

• Horsehair lichens are characterized by intricately branched filaments that hang from trees.
• The thallus (lichen body) consists of these filaments, which can be pale gray to dark smokey brown.
• The strands have long, narrow slits on the surface.
• Bryoria furcellata ('Burred Horsehair Lichen') has dark brown branches with short pointed side branches.

Traditional Uses

• Hanging tree lichens (black horsehair lichen, green old man's beard lichen) are still used by the Kootenais, Salish and Blackfeet as a traditional food.

Ecology

• Horsehair lichens are lichenized fungi, meaning they are a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium.
• They are often found growing on conifers, sometimes in association with other lichens like wolf lichen (Letharia vulpina).

Quirky Facts

• Several different English names have been recently invented for wila, including black moss, black tree lichen, and edible horsehair lichen.
• Canadian botanical researcher Trevor Goward discovered a new species of Bryoria or “horsehair lichen”.