Description: Typically, this beard lichen can grow to a length of eight centimetres. It is a wonderful sight when seen growing on rocks and boulders at exposed sites near the sea. It is short stalked with the main stems worm-like. Frequent annulations occur all along the stems like cylindrical beads threaded together to form a necklace. The base of the stem is not blackened. It also grows widely as an epiphyte. The distribution of this species is predominantly western in Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• The pale annular rings, absence of a black base and a generally pollarded appearance serves to indicate this species
• The bases of the main stems are often smooth with few papillae (pimpled swellings) or isidia showing.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

Distribution Map from NBN: Usnea flammea at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Usnea flammea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.