Nature Detective: What is this moss hanging from the tree? It is not Spanish Moss. It's Old Man's Beard (Usnea)

-
The pale green lichen in the Usnea "ooze-ne-a" family, also known as Old Man’s Beard, can easily be spied hanging in tree branches around the Adirondacks. I

 Its green lacy tuffs remind me of the Lorax and the Truffula trees and as Dr. Seuss says, "Truffula trees are what everyone needs."

  Did you know?
• lichens are not really plants but a blending of two separate organisms: fungus and algae.
• It is commonly known as a tree moss or beard moss. 
• It is sometimes confused with Spanish moss, which is not found in the Adirondacks.
• Usnea was used a respiratory antibiotic since 1600 B.C  
• Important in ancient Greek and Chinese medicine
• Has anti-microbial properties so can be directly applied to an open wound to stave off infection. 
• Make a tea or tincture out of it to treat lung infections. 
• Has been used to combat tuberculosis in studies.
Identify
•A white, stretchy, thin cord can be found when you pull the Old Man's Beard gently apart.
© Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities™.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Be A Nature Detective: What Tree has Camouflage Bark?

-
Image
The American sycamore! This massive tree is often mistaken for a maple because of its leaves.  It is unique amongst all trees because of its bark pattern. Are there other names for the sycamore tree? It is also called an American planetree, buttonwood or the buttonball tree. Where does it grow? This hardy tree likes wet soil. It can be found growing in every state east of the Great Plains, except Minnesota. How big will it get? It can grow up to 90' tall. t is also North America's largest native broadleaf plant.
Read more

Crafts: Aldo Leopold Bench Plans

-
Image
Enjoy these simple plans for this simple bench that provides a perfect place to observe the natural world.  C onsidered by many as the father of wildlife management and of the United States’ wilderness system, Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast . “That land is a community is the basic concept off ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics.” Though his book, The Sand County Almanac is a must read, it may be something that can wait for anyone with very young children. For everyone else, it's a wonderful example of nature writing that is a timeless connection to the land. My family first made our first  "Leopold Bench" as a group effort at the Aldo celebration at the A dirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb, NY. It remains one our most comfortable outdoor benches. It also was a project that allowed us to work together. © Diane Chase, author of A dirondac
Read more

Adirondack Treats: Make Your Own Mirror Lake Inn Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe)

-
Image
Mirror Lake Inn Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Back by popular demand! My favorite cookie recipe!    *reprinted with permission Mirror Lake Inn Chocolate Chip Cookies , Lake Placid, N.Y. Mix until light and fluffy 2 cups butter 2 cups sugar 1 cup brown sugar Blend and add to sugar mixture:  4 eggs Add: 4 tsp. vanilla 4 cups flour 3 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking soda 4 cups chocolate chips 2 cups broken walnuts (I omit) Drop onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Yields 4 dozen. Tip: I whip up a batch and keep the dough in the refrigerator and bake a few cookies at a time! Enjoy! *if you stay at the Inn you get complimentary afternoon tea and chocolate chip cookies daily. If not, you can make your own and pretend!
Read more