Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Usnea
Common name: Beard lichens
Usnea is a genus of mostly pale greyish-green fruticose lichens that grow like leafless mini-shrubs or tassels anchored on bark or twigs and fence posts. The genus is in the family Parmeliaceae. It grows all over the world. Usnea branches have a circular cross-section and are pendulous. Like other lichens, it is a symbiosis of a fungus and algae.
This species of Usnea was on a wind-fallen branch roadside Mt Egmont/Taranaki
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
