Dolichousnea longissima

Methuselah's Beard Lichen
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Dolichousnea
Species: D. longissima
Binomial name
Dolichousnea longissima
(Ach.) Articus

Dolichousnea longissima, Old Man's Beard or Methuselah's Beard Lichen, is a lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It was previously known as Usnea longissima.[1]

Contents

Distribution

D. longissima is found in boreal forests and coastal woodland in Europe, Asia, and North America.[2]

Description

This lichen is fruticose, with very long stems and short, even side branches. It is considered the longest lichen in the world.[3] The stems are usually 15 to 30 cm in length but are sometimes much longer.[4]

Ecology

The most frequent host of this lichen is spruce trees. It is currently on threatened status.

References

  1. ^ Articus, K. (2004) Neuropogon and the phylogeny of Usnea s.l. (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes). Taxon 53(4): 925-934.
  2. ^ "Fact Sheet: Usnea longissima in Norway." Nov 08, 1996.http://www.toyen.uio.no/botanisk/bot-mus/lav/factshts/usnelong.htm (accessed Dec 19, 2008).
  3. ^ Sharnoff, S.. "'Usnea longissima..'." http://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Ulongissima.html (accessed Dec 19, 2008).
  4. ^ Walewski, Joe (2007). Lichens of the North Woods. Duluth, MN: Kollath-Stensaas. ISBN 0979200601. 

Threatened Status