Coldwaterjohn's photos with the keyword: Lichens

Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution and so is normally only found growing in clean air environments. Some species of Usnea are more sensitive to air pollutants than others. Characteristics Generally grows hanging from tree branches Thread like, resembling a grey beard Common names Old Man's Beard, Beard Lichen, or Treemoss. Usnea has been used in medicine for at least 1,000 years. Usnic acid, found in most species, has strong antibiotic and antifungal properties This lichen is actually edible and high in vitamin C. Though we don't recommend trying it!

Nitrogen-sensitive Close-up of Evernia lichen Evernia is a bushy lichen that is sensitive to air pollution, so is usually found in clean air environments. It is abundant on branches and twigs of trees and shrubs in the countryside. Characteristics Green on top and white on the bottom Divides evenly into 'forks' Not to be confused with Ramalina, which is green on both top and bottom and divides unevenly. Common name Oakmoss

Nitrogen-sensitive Evernia is a bushy lichen that is sensitive to air pollution, so is usually found in clean air environments. It is abundant on branches and twigs of trees and shrubs in the countryside. Characteristics Green on top and white on the bottom Divides evenly into 'forks' Not to be confused with Ramalina, which is green on both top and bottom and divides unevenly. Common name Oakmoss

Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution and so is normally only found growing in clean air environments. Some species of Usnea are more sensitive to air pollutants than others. Characteristics Generally grows hanging from tree branches Thread like, resembling a grey beard Common names Old Man's Beard, Beard Lichen, or Treemoss. Usnea has been used in medicine for at least 1,000 years. Usnic acid, found in most species, has strong antibiotic and antifungal properties This lichen is actually edible and high in vitamin C. Though we don't recommend trying it!

Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution and so is normally only found growing in clean air environments. Some species of Usnea are more sensitive to air pollutants than others. Characteristics Generally grows hanging from tree branches Thread like, resembling a grey beard Common names Old Man's Beard, Beard Lichen, or Treemoss. Usnea has been used in medicine for at least 1,000 years. Usnic acid, found in most species, has strong antibiotic and antifungal properties This lichen is actually edible and high in vitamin C. Though we don't recommend trying it!

Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution and so is normally only found growing in clean air environments. Some species of Usnea are more sensitive to air pollutants than others. Characteristics Generally grows hanging from tree branches Thread like, resembling a grey beard Common names Old Man's Beard, Beard Lichen, or Treemoss. Usnea has been used in medicine for at least 1,000 years. Usnic acid, found in most species, has strong antibiotic and antifungal properties This lichen is actually edible and high in vitamin C. Though we don't recommend trying it!

Watching a documentary last night about Beijing's pollution levels being so bad that the Chinese government were becoming apprehensive about its triggering mass demonstrations, made me realise once more how fortunate we are to live in such pollution-free surroundings - here at least, if not everywhere in the UK...

Can anyone identify these, growing on an ancient set of Victoria plum trees? Signs of decay? Signs of our clean fresh air? Most lichens cannot tolerate even moderate layers of nitrogen and sulphur in the air. It looks vaguely like baby Spanish Moss, so I wonder if it is some form of epiphyte in the bromeliad family...

Can anyone identify these, growing on an ancient set of Victoria plum trees? Signs of decay? Signs of our clean fresh air - Most lichens cannot tolerate even moderate layers of nitrogen and sulphur in the air.

Can anyone identify these, growing on an ancient set of Victoria plum trees? Signs of decay? Signs of our clean fresh air - Most lichens cannot tolerate even moderate layers of nitrogen and sulphur in the air.