Bearded lichen

Beard lichens (Usnea barbata) belong to the lichens of the family Parmeliaceae (lichens) living on barks. Lichens are symbiotically growing plant communities. The symbiosis in lichens is between a fungus and a chlorophyll-producing algae. Bearded lichens are mostly found in alpine forests or areas with a higher sulphur concentration in the air. Therefore, the occurrence of bearded lichen is not only in Europe but also in the Andes.

As the Usnea barbata prefers an acidic environment, it is mostly found on trees with an acidic bark. At the ends of the filamentous structures they form semicircular or pin-shaped outgrowths. When pulled apart, the bark detaches and releases the whitish pith.

The greyish to greenish-yellowish looking bearded lichens grow shrubby hanging from the bark of conifers and deciduous trees. Depending on environmental conditions, the Usnea barbata grows between ten cm and one metre long.

Usnea barbata is the parent plant of Usnea species, a medicinal drug for which a positive monograph has been issued by Commission E.