Observations by wanderflechten

Posting this to point out that although Usnea longissima was placed in Dolichousnea by Articus in 2004 my impression is that the change has not been accepted by lichenologists. (Wirtz et al. (2006) looked at Neuropogon and do not agree with Articus (2004) for that group, and they further state “We recommend a conservative approach regarding nomenclatural changes from phylogenetic studies especially at the generic level when few taxa are studied.”) The North American Checklist https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~esslinge/chcklst/chcklst7.htm and recent literature have continued with Usnea longissima.

near sea level, forest of Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce, 3rd Beach trail, Washington state

view original size (5747x1000) - I got carried away, but this is a small piece of a lichen that can be 8m long (strands measuring 6.9m and 7.6m - northwest-lichenologists.wildapricot.org/page-1816824/670... confirm my comment on the Flickr posting)

it kept getting tangled on things (nearby branches, tripod, etc.) - one can see how it is dispersed by breaking up and catching on other trees (also sometimes soridia)

It has some very short side branches. Occasionally strands of U. longissima branch into 2 long strands which hang below.

for typical habit see www.flickr.com/photos/29750062@N06/4980781968/

On concrete slab at parking lot for Samish Unit, Skagit Wildlife Area, which was formerly agricultural land. X. parietina appears to be rapidly increasing in Puget Lowlands, particularly agricultural and urban areas.