Usnea florida Witches' Whiskers Lichen

A very distinctive beard lichen with its dish-like apothecia which are surrounded by ray-like, spiny branches. It doesn't produce isidia or soralia. It is very sensitive to atmospheric pollution and particulary to nitrogen (ammonia) pollution. It is rather uncommon in Britain, mostly confined to southwest England and Wales. It requires well-lit but sheltered conditions and often occurs high in the canopy of broad-leaved trees where it can go unnoticed. Many West Glamorgan records are from twigs and branches that have been blown off trees after stormy weather.

Listed by Alan Orange in Flora of Glamorgan (Wade et al, 1994).