Witch's Hair Lichens

Alectoria is a genus of fruticose lichens belonging to the family Parmeliaceae. These lichens form shrub-like growths with slender, branching strands that can hang from trees or grow upright, typically appearing in colours ranging from greenish-yellow to brownish-black. They are commonly found growing on conifer trees in northern forests, where some species like Alectoria sarmentosa can reach lengths of up to a metre or more. The genus serves as an important food source for caribou during winter months, particularly in the inland temperate rainforests of British Columbia, Canada. Alectoria contains about 10 species distributed across North America, Central America, and Asia.