Description

Botanical name: Usnea barbata
Origin: Eastern europe
Usnea barbata is a species of lichen that is distributed throughout much of the world with the exception of North America. Somewhat of a cross between an algae and a fungus, usnea lichen relies on a semi-parasitic relationship with trees for its survival. Because it has a mossy appearance and drapes from branches like a mop of hair or beard, it is commonly known as Beard Moss, Methuselah’s Beard and Old Man’s Beard. It is classified as an herb due to its use in China for more than 2,000 years.