Usnea (Old Man’s Beard) is a genus of mostly pale grayish green hair-like lichens that grow like leafless mini shrubs or tassels anchored on bark or twigs. Usnea is thought to be the inspiration behind the tinsel often draped on Christmas trees.  Diverse yet sensitive, the genus is in the family Parmeliaceae. It grows all over the world. Urban environments are stressful for Usnea, so while it does grow in our city, this species grows much more luxuriously in the forests to the north and west of Edmonton.