usnea

plural usneas · plural usneae

1. Any lichen of the genus Usnea.

   The plantlike result of a symbiotic association between algae and fungi, usnea lichen is an important and versatile natural medicine that demands a place in these pages.

   1997, Gregory L. Tilford, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, page 148

   2 more examples

   In Latin the various species of usnea are called Usnea barbata, U. longissima, U. hirta, U. florida, U. ceratina, and U. dasypoga. Because of its appearance the common name for usnea is Old Man's Beard. The Dakota called usnea Chan wiziye.

   2006, Stephen Harrod Buhner, Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native American Herbalism, page 133

   Another powerful herb with antibiotic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, usnea is used internally or externally against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Usnea is often combined with spilanthes or echinacea.

   2008, Matthew Stein, When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance, Sustainability, and Surviving the Long Emergency, Revised edition, page 256

   Synonyms: old man's beard