Usnea
9.9
A pale grey or yellow plant-like growth that hangs from tree branches like a long beard
- noun
- /ˈjuːzniə/
- Specialized
:
usnea
- Many people use usnea in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits.
Examples
-
Usnea can often be found growing on trees in damp environments.
-
Licorice root, garlic, calendula, usnea lichen, yarrow flower, milkvetch, and finally, cat's claw.
-
The herbalist recommended usnea for its antifungal properties.
Synonyms
beard moss
vsUsnea
8.9
A green and grey plant-like growth that hangs from trees like a long beard
is a scientific genus covering many related species rather than one local form
8.7
A pale greenish-gray growth with long hairlike strands that hang from tree branches
is the scientific genus covering many species worldwide rather than a local type
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
Usnea is the scientific name for a lichen often called 'beard lichen' or 'old man's beard' because it hangs from tree branches like a grey beard. The name likely comes from old words for beard-like plants, so remembering the image of a hanging 'beard' helps you recall Usnea is that stringy, grey lichen.
