Usnea hirta (L.) F.H. Wigg.
Primit. Florae Holsat.: 91, 1780, nom. cons.. Basionym: Lichen hirtus L. - Sp. Pl., 2: 1155, 1753.
Synonyms: Usnea barbata var. hirta (L.) Fr.; Usnea florida var. hirta (L.) Ach.; Usnea foveata Vain.; Usnea glaucescens Vain.; Usnea hirta subsp. helvetica Motyka; Usnea hirta subsp. laricicola Motyka; Usnea plicata var. foveata (Vain.) Clauzade & Cl. Roux; Usnea variolosa Motyka
Description: Thallus fruticose-filamentous, greenish, flaccid when wet, usually shrubby, rarely subpendulous, 1-5(-7) cm long (rarely more), branching sympodially, anisotomic-dichotomously with divergent branches. Main branches irregular, clearly segmented, often foveolate or transversally furrowed, the basal part not blackened; lateral branches not narrowed at attachment point. Papillae and tubercles usually absent, when present minute and inconspicuous; fibrils numerous, irregularly crowded, small (<3 mm), isidiomorph-like and spinulose, leaving scars after falling off, where the soralia develop. Soralia punctiform, not larger than half the branch diameter, numerous, producing abundant, scattered or clustered isidiomorphs which are most abundant in terminal parts; when these fall off, the soralia may resemble pseudocyphellae. Cortex thin (3-7% of total thickness of the branch), not cracked, matt to shiny in longitudinal section; medulla white, lax to dense, moderately thick (27-33%); central axis white, rather thin (24-35%); ratio axis/medulla ranging between 0.8 and 1.4. Apothecia rare, lecanorine, 1-3 mm across, subterminal. Photobiont chlorococcoid. Spot tests: cortex K-, C-, P-; medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-. Chemistry: cortex with usnic acid; medulla either with no substance or with fatty acids of the murolic group
Growth form: Fruticose filamentous
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia
Reproductive strategy: mainly asexual, by soredia, or soredia-like structures (e.g. blastidia)
Subcontinental: restricted to areas with a dry-subcontinental climate (e.g. dry Alpine valleys, parts of Mediterranean Italy)
Commonnes-rarity: (info)
Alpine belt: absent
Subalpine belt: common
Montane belt: rather common
Dry submediterranean belt: extremely rare
Humid submediterranean belt: extremely rare
Padanian area: absent
pH of the substrata:
1 2 3 4 5
Solar irradiation:
1 2 3 4 5
Aridity:
1 2 3 4 5
Eutrophication:
1 2 3 4 5
Poleotolerance:
0 1 2 3
Altitudinal distribution:
1 2 3 4 5 6
Rarity
absent
extremely rare
very rare
rare
rather rare
rather common
common
very common
extremely common
Loading data...
Occurrence data
Predictive map
Current prediction (1981-2010)
Future prediction (2071-2100) SSP 1-2.6
Future prediction (2071-2100) SSP 5-8.5Predictive maps according to Francesconi et al. 2025
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Bois du Kador
Andres Saag; Owner: University of Tartu
Estonia, Harjumaa Co., Haapse
2003/06/26
Shrubby thallus
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
Baden-Württemberg, Schwäbische Alb, Kreis Heidenheim, im Wental an Laubbäumen, ca 600 m 7226 Schumm 04.1967 Klement
Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
Baden-Württemberg, Schwäbische Alb, Kreis Heidenheim, im Wental an Laubbäumen, ca 600 m 7226 Schumm 04.1967 Klement
Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_U/Usnea_hirta.htm
France, 25/8/2016 - Crête du Mont d'Or, alt : 1420 m - Doubs
Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_U/Usnea_hirta.htm
France, 25/8/2016 - Crête du Mont d'Or, alt : 1420 m - Doubs
Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_U/Usnea_hirta.htm
France, 25/8/2016 - Crête du Mont d'Or, alt : 1420 m - Doubs
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Chateaulin
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Chateaulin
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Bois du Kador
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Bois du Kador
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Pt. Coblan
Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Ardennes
Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Ardennes
Wolfgang von Brackel - CC BY-4.0
Germany, Bavaria, Erlangen
Triin Aimla; Owner: University of Tartu
Growth form: Fruticose filamentous
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia
Reproductive strategy: mainly asexual, by soredia, or soredia-like structures (e.g. blastidia)
Subcontinental: restricted to areas with a dry-subcontinental climate (e.g. dry Alpine valleys, parts of Mediterranean Italy)
Commonnes-rarity: (info)
Alpine belt: absent
Subalpine belt: common
Montane belt: rather common
Dry submediterranean belt: extremely rare
Humid submediterranean belt: extremely rare
Padanian area: absent
pH of the substrata:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Solar irradiation:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Aridity:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Eutrophication:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Poleotolerance:
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Altitudinal distribution:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Rarity
absent
extremely rare
very rare
rare
rather rare
rather common
common
very common
extremely common
Loading data...
Occurrence data
Predictive map
Current prediction (1981-2010)Future prediction (2071-2100) SSP 1-2.6Future prediction (2071-2100) SSP 5-8.5Predictive maps according to Francesconi et al. 2025
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Bois du Kador
Andres Saag; Owner: University of Tartu
Estonia, Harjumaa Co., Haapse
2003/06/26
Shrubby thallus
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
Baden-Württemberg, Schwäbische Alb, Kreis Heidenheim, im Wental an Laubbäumen, ca 600 m 7226 Schumm 04.1967 Klement
Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
Baden-Württemberg, Schwäbische Alb, Kreis Heidenheim, im Wental an Laubbäumen, ca 600 m 7226 Schumm 04.1967 Klement
Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_U/Usnea_hirta.htm
France, 25/8/2016 - Crête du Mont d'Or, alt : 1420 m - Doubs
Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_U/Usnea_hirta.htm
France, 25/8/2016 - Crête du Mont d'Or, alt : 1420 m - Doubs
Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_U/Usnea_hirta.htm
France, 25/8/2016 - Crête du Mont d'Or, alt : 1420 m - Doubs
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Chateaulin
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Chateaulin
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Bois du Kador
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Bois du Kador
Tiiu Tõrra; Owner: Tiiu Tõrra - Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Pt. Coblan
Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Ardennes
Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=519&lang=en
France, Ardennes
Wolfgang von Brackel - CC BY-4.0
Germany, Bavaria, Erlangen
