This beard lichen (Usnea Australis) grows all over this area of Halifax County, in North Carolina. Usnea is a common and scientific name for several species of lichen in the family Parmeliaceae, that generally grow hanging from tree branches, resembling grey or greenish hair. It is sometimes referred to as Old Man's Beard, Beard Lichen, or Treemoss. Usnea looks very similar to Spanish moss, so much so that the moss's Latin name is derived from it (Tillandsia usneoides, the 'Usnea-like Tillandsia'). Usnea species grow in damp forests all over the world. Like other lichens it is a symbiosis of a fungus and an alga. The fungus is an Ascomycota. Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide. Under bad conditions they may grow no larger than a few millimetres, if they survive at all. Where the air is unpolluted, they can grow to 10-20 cm long. Usnea has been used medicinally for at least 1000 years. Usnic acid (C18H16O7), a potent antibiotic and antifungal agent is found in most species. This, combined with the hairlike structure of the lichen, means that Usnea lent itself well to treating surface wounds when sterile gauze and modern antibiotics were unavailable. Usnea extracts is also used extensively in perfume and fragrance industries. Source: Wikipedia Thanks for looking. Have a marvelous day!