description Alectoria sarmentosa Overview
Alectoria sarmentosa is a gray-green, hairlike fruticose lichen commonly called witch's hair or beard lichen. It grows as long, pendulous strands on the branches of conifers and other trees in boreal and montane forests of North America and Eurasia. The lichen forms part of the winter forage available to woodland caribou and related reindeer populations.
help Alectoria sarmentosa FAQ
What is Alectoria sarmentosa commonly called?
Alectoria sarmentosa is commonly called witch's hair or beard lichen. It forms long, gray-green, pendulous strands that hang from the branches of conifers and other trees.
Where does Alectoria sarmentosa grow?
It occurs in boreal and montane forests across parts of North America and Eurasia. Long strands are especially associated with mature conifers and cool, humid forest conditions.
How is Alectoria sarmentosa different from Usnea longissima?
Alectoria sarmentosa and Usnea longissima can both look like hanging gray-green hair, but Usnea usually has an elastic central cord inside its branches. Alectoria lacks that Usnea-type cord, so a simple visual resemblance is not enough to identify the species.
Is Alectoria sarmentosa the same as Spanish moss?
No, Alectoria sarmentosa is a lichen, while Spanish moss is the flowering plant Tillandsia usneoides. Both hang from trees, but witch's hair is gray-green branching lichen tissue and Spanish moss is made of narrow plant leaves.
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