Usnea longissima

Methuselah's beard lichen

Family: Parmeliaceae

Conservation status: CNPS 4.2

Methuselah's beard lichen is a California native lichen found in northwestern California, the North Coast Ranges, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in old-growth coniferous forests and woodland habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,000 meters. Hanging in long, intricate strands from tree branches, this pale gray to green-gray lichen forms delicate, pendulous clusters up to 2 to 3 meters in length. Growing as a highly elongated, branching thallus with fine, hair-like structure, it drapes dramatically from tree limbs like a silvery-green curtain. Its surface is characteristically smooth and somewhat translucent, with a fine, thread-like texture that allows it to sway gently in forest breezes. This remarkable lichen serves as an important indicator of air quality and ecological health in mature forest ecosystems.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.