- 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.) ArticusDolichousnea 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
- ^ Articus, K. (2004) Neuropogon and the phylogeny of Usnea s.l. (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes). Taxon 53(4): 925-934.
- ^ "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).
- ^ Sharnoff, S.. "'Usnea longissima..'." http://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Ulongissima.html (accessed Dec 19, 2008).
- ^ Walewski, Joe (2007). Lichens of the North Woods. Duluth, MN: Kollath-Stensaas. ISBN 0979200601.
Threatened Status
Categories:- Lichens
- Parmeliaceae
- Lecanoromycetes stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
