Witches Hair
Alectoria sarmentosa
Description: Superficially this lichen is frequently mistaken for Usnea spp, but lacks the characteristic central cord of Usnea. 15-40cm long hanging hair lichen, pale green, intricately branched, no soredia. Apothecia are usually not present but when present are small brown saucer-shaped fruiting bodies found throughout the lichen.
Ecology: Found on conifers in open forests, especially at middle and upper elevations but also found right to the sea shore. Common.
Notes: This one in full apothecia was found in late February 2003 at Carlson Lake, middle elevation.
Speckled Horsehair
Bryoria fuscescens
Description: A medium to large dark brown or even blackish hanging hair lichen, shown here growing with Alectoria spp (yellow green hair lichen) and some pale yellow-green antlered perfume. Grows 5-20cm long.
Ecology: Often found on conifers in open forests at all elevations.
Notes: This one was growing with Alectoria and Evernia species, hanging from a small alder branch, it appears to have broken off another branch, likely a nearby conifer, and landed on the alder. Found on a West Sechelt Logging road at low elevation, not far from the ocean.
Blood Spattered Beard
Usnea wirthii
Description: A smaller Usnea lichen with a tufted growth habit. It is 2-4 cm long and the typical pale yellow-green of usnea, but with red spots. It is heavily branched giving rise to its tufted habit, and has the characteristic central cord of Usnea.
Ecology: Often found on conifers in open lowland forests, common at low and middle elevations.
Notes: This one was found growing at the edge of Carlson Lake in March, 2003.
Usnea longissima
Description: A longer usnea species with the characteristic colour and a whitish central cord which, along with its length (up to 6m), distinguishes it from other Usnea species..
Ecology: Disperses mostly through the physical breakage and transport of pieces of cord, because of this reliance on physical dispersal this lichen is more common in old growth forests and has already disappeared in many short-rotation second growth forests where not enough time is given for the lichen to become established.
Notes: This one was found in a mature stand of trees at middle elevation near the Caren Range, June 2001.
