Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Usnea arizonica Moytka
Western Bushy Beard

Usnea arizonica is one of the commonest lichens in the forest here. It typically hangs from the bark of trees. It is a light green with frequent lighter colored fruiting bodies. The fibrils along the branches are of markedly different lengths compared to those of U. cirrosa, and these fibrils are infrequent on the back of the apothecia. Usnea arizonica is common throughout the Gila on trees.
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Usnea arizonica, photo Russ Kleinman, Mogollon Mtns., Bursum Road, May 18, 2010



Usnea arizonica, habit, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, McMillan Campground trail, June 20, 2018



Usnea arizonica, photomicrograph of branch and apothecia, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, McMillan Campground trail, June 20, 2018



Usnea arizonica, photomicrograph of apothecia, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, McMillan Campground trail, June 20, 2018



Usnea arizonica, photomicrograph of unequal lengths of fibrils along branch, Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, McMillan Campground trail, June 20, 2018


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