Description: This is one of our most attractive ‘beard lichens’, easy to identify and difficult to miss. The robust thallus can form erect or hanging tufts that in some areas can exceed 20cm. But the main characteristic is the colour of the branches which can vary between brown and orange-red. The branches are often covered in warts and rod-shaped isidia. It grows well on old tree trunks and branches. West Ireland; rare in the extreme east.

Key Identification Features:

• Robust ‘beard lichen’ tinged with red or orange pigment
• Branches with warts and isidia.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Usnea rubicunda at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.