title: Usnea strigosa
text: # Usnea strigosa
  
  Usnea strigosa, commonly known as bushy beard lichen, is a fruticose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae.
  
  ## Distribution
  
  Usnea strigosa has worldwide distribution. It is a common tree lichen in Eastern and Southeastern North America.
  
  ## Description
  
  This lichen is fruticose with 2 to 5 cm long branches and abundant terminal apothecia about 5 mm wide.
  
  ## Taxonomy
  
  Usnea strigosa has three recognized subspecies, major, rubiginea, and strigosa. There are also several chemotypes, bringing the current taxonomy into doubt.
  
  ## Ecology
  
  Usnea strigosa grows on trees. The most frequent hosts of this lichen are oak trees. The photosynthetic symbionts of Usnea species are Chlorophyta green algae.
  
  