Manzanita Moss by photosynthesis
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Description
Another shot from my hike on Prospector's Loop. I see this hanging from Manzanita trees all the time & I'm guessing it's a kind of moss, though I could be wrong. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know.
Here's some info on Manzanita from Wikipedia:
"Manzanita branches are popular as decoration, due to their unique shape, color, and strength when dried.
The wood is notoriously hard to cure, mostly due to cracking against the grain, giving it few uses as timber. The slow growth rate and many branchings further decrease the sizes available. Some furniture and art employ whole round branches, which reduces cracking and preserves the deep red color.
The dead wood decays slowly and can last for many years, on and off the plant. Sunlight smooths and bleaches manzanita to light grey or white, rendering it superficially akin to animal bones. Because of this and the stunted growth of many species, manzanita is often collected in its more unusual shapes, giving it the nickname mountain driftwood.
Manzanita wood is also used as perches for parrots and other large pet birds. The branches of the larger species are extremely long-lasting for this purpose.Some aquarium keepers use sandblasted manzanita as driftwood in planted aquaria because of its attractive forked growth and its chemical neutrality.
If properly cleaned and cured, it holds up well over extended periods of submersion. The wood is also resistant to the leaching of tannins into the water column, a problem often found with other aquarium driftwoods. When used as driftwood, manzanita must often be either weighted down for several weeks or soaked first to counteract the wood's natural buoyancy.
Manzanita wood, when dry, is excellent for burning in a campfire, barbecue, fireplace, or stove. It is dense and burns at a high temperature for long periods. However, caution should be exercised, because the high temperatures can damage thin-walled barbecues, and even crack cast iron stoves or cause chimney fires."
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Comments (12)
jayfar
Nice shot. I would say that it is a type of lichen!
brewgirlca
These are lichens, most likely in the genera Ramalina and Bryoria or at least dominated by these genera. Could also be some Usnea in the mix.
auntietk
I love those curly branches. Very striking with the (apparently) lichen hanging down. Beautiful image!
Cyve
Stunning and beautiful capture!
AZBO
Like a masterful water colour
Faemike55
Very cool and interesting shot info is pretty cool as well
MrsRatbag
Splendid beauty in this capture; I would have called it Spanish moss, so what do I know?
UVDan
Beautiful shot!
Adobe_One_Kenobi
Excellent capture and narrative Claude.
bebert
very nice POV
vale4u
Excellent photo
danapommet
A great find and photo! Very interesting into too!