What is Usnea?

Usnea is a gray-green, hair-like lichen that drapes from the branches of trees in mature forests, where it is commonly called Old Man's Beard, Beard Moss, or Tree Beard. Unlike the herbs we carry, it is not a plant at all: a lichen is a composite organism, a fungus and a photosynthetic partner living together as one. The name covers Usnea barbata and a number of closely related Usnea species.

About the lichen

Usnea grows slowly, threading through the canopy of old-growth and clean-air forests around the world, and the forests of the Pacific Northwest are well known for it. Because the lichen draws what it needs straight from the air, it is highly sensitive to pollution, so an abundance of Usnea is a recognized indicator of clean air. It carries usnic acid, the compound that gives the genus its name, and it has a documented history in both European and Native American herbalism. Because usnic acid is far more soluble in alcohol than in water, the lichen has traditionally been prepared as a tincture rather than a simple tea.

Usnea: form & sizes

We carry Usnea as the cut and sifted dried lichen, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. Take care not to confuse it with oak moss, a different lichen that also carries the loose name "tree moss." We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Usnea in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity.

Usnea at a glance

Botanical name

Usnea barbata and related Usnea species

Type

Lichen (a fungus and a photosynthetic partner living together), not a plant

Common names

Usnea, Old Man's Beard, Beard Moss, Tree Beard

Distribution

Old-growth and clean-air forests worldwide, including the Pacific Northwest

Notable compound

Usnic acid

Form

Cut and sifted dried lichen

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb