usnea

[ uhs-nee-uh ]

noun

1. any pale-green or gray, mosslike lichen of the genus Usnea, common on rocks and trees.

Word History and Origins

Origin of usnea¹

1590–1600; < New Latin, Medieval Latin < Arabic or Persian ushnah

Example Sentences

We camped in a boggy hollow on a bluff among scraggy, usnea-bearded spruces.

From Project Gutenberg

Usnea barbata is collected from trees in Pennsylvania, and used for an orange colour for yarn.

From Project Gutenberg

It resembles carbonized horse hair and was called "horse hair usnea" by old Dillenius.

From Project Gutenberg

The larger ones covered with lichens,—often hung with the long gray Usnea.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in a section of Mississippi where there was no Usnea growing within 60 miles.

From Project Gutenberg