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Tree Moss

Pseudevernia furfuracea

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46.2538, 6.11057

Field Notes

Description:

The tree moss is, in spite of it's name, not a moss but a fruticose lichen. It forms a shrubby, waxy-white-greyish rounded structure - observed here, these were some 3 to 10 cm in diameter, but reportedly, they can be more voluminous than that. The individual "branches" are about 3-4 cm in length, light greyish on one side, and dark brown on dorsal side (pic N° 4).

Habitat:

Found growing on dead branches scattered on forest floor. The forest in question is mixed (and protected to some degree) forest, composed of oak, beech and fir trees) in winter-time on slopes of Jura mountain range.

Notes:

I just learnt (from Wikipedia, see the link beside) that the Tree Moss lichen is sensitive to air pollution, and its presence is an indicator of good air conditions in the growing place. Moreover, the species has numerous human uses, including use in perfume, embalming and in medicine.

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