Beard Lichen by tmathise

Photography • Macro • posted on Mar 27, 2006

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Description

This beard lichen (Usnea Australis) grows all over this area of Halifax County, in North Carolina. Usnea is a common and scientific name for several species of lichen in the family Parmeliaceae, that generally grow hanging from tree branches, resembling grey or greenish hair. It is sometimes referred to as Old Man's Beard, Beard Lichen, or Treemoss. Usnea looks very similar to Spanish moss, so much so that the moss's Latin name is derived from it (Tillandsia usneoides, the 'Usnea-like Tillandsia'). Usnea species grow in damp forests all over the world. Like other lichens it is a symbiosis of a fungus and an alga. The fungus is an Ascomycota. Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide. Under bad conditions they may grow no larger than a few millimetres, if they survive at all. Where the air is unpolluted, they can grow to 10-20 cm long. Usnea has been used medicinally for at least 1000 years. Usnic acid (C18H16O7), a potent antibiotic and antifungal agent is found in most species. This, combined with the hairlike structure of the lichen, means that Usnea lent itself well to treating surface wounds when sterile gauze and modern antibiotics were unavailable. Usnea extracts is also used extensively in perfume and fragrance industries. Source: Wikipedia Thanks for looking. Have a marvelous day!

Comments (10)

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Chaos911

9:59AM | Mon, 27 March 2006

wow, looks fantastic, excellently done!!!! :=)

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Zacko

10:43AM | Mon, 27 March 2006

This is really cool!!!! Not the pretty shot i was mentioning in that creepy-belgian-blue-mosquito-shot though...i think that will be the last photo ill comment on. #:O)

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devineydesignsllc

11:11AM | Mon, 27 March 2006

love the insight,and the photo ain't bad!

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mommavelvet9999

11:52AM | Mon, 27 March 2006

This is really cool! Never seen it that close up! It is a pretty green! One of my favorite colors!!! The detail in this shot is just awesome, too btw!

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DELMUR

12:23PM | Mon, 27 March 2006

love this macro: Strange ,beautifull, looks like an abstract!

soulofharmony

12:30PM | Mon, 27 March 2006

like tangled string..excellent macro with excellent DOF.. beautiful Troy :)

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jcv2

2:26PM | Mon, 27 March 2006

Love those lichens, perfect markers for clear air indeed! We have similar lichens here and I love to find them! Gorgeous work, Troy! :)

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NekhbetSun

6:13PM | Mon, 27 March 2006

Ya know you're really on a roll here with these macros Troy :o) excellent presentation on all 3 you posted today and equally perfect captures...hope you got more up your magical photographic sleeve :o) hugs

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