List of official state plants, grasses, shrubs, cacti, herbs, agricultural plants, arboretums, and more … photos and fun facts. On New Year’s Day, lace lichen, a stringy green organism often called “Spanish moss” that hangs from oak trees around California, joined the grizzly bear, California poppy, California quail and gold as an official California State symbol.. California is the only state currently with a state lichen. Description of Species: Although it is a true lichen, Ramalina menziesii. The only thing lace lichen has in common with true Spanish moss is its color (gray-green), basic form, and its epiphytic habit. In addition to its beauty, lace lichen was chosen because it is common within a wide range within the state of California … In North America, it is found along the Pacific Coast from northern California to southern Alaska. The new law, signed last July by Gov. California”s newest state symbol adorns coastal oaks and conifers like a cloak. Ramalina menziesii, the lace lichen, is a pale yellowish-green to grayish-green foliose lichen that grows up to a meter long, hanging from bark and twigs in a distinctive net-like or lace-like pattern that is unlike any other lichen in North America. (J. Maughn/Creative Commons License) ( J. Maughn ) It’s hard to imagine that lichen could be a source of awe, but there is one species so beautiful that the California Lichen Society is asking the state Legislature to declare it the state lichen. Lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) is photographed in Santa Cruz County, Calif., on Oct. 2, 2013. Lace Lichen, North Shore, and Cannery Point Trail is a 2.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Birds pluck it from the branches to line their nests. Deer find it so delicious they”ve been known to fig… )By Chantelle DeLay. Jerry Brown, made California the first state to claim an official lichen. : 192 It becomes a deeper green when wet. : 192 Apothecia are lecanorine. is commonly known as both Lace Lichen and Spanish Moss, perhaps for its rather soft appearance and greenish color.Although its morphology is quite variable, generally speaking this lichen hangs from its host in long, branching strands that can reach up to 2 meters in length. One last item of which I was reminded while researching lace lichen on the internet is that the California Lichen Society is pushing the California Legislature to designate lace lichen as the state lichen. Lace lichen was a good candidate for its new lofty status because it occurs along the entire California coast, up to about 130 miles inland, Benson … Also known as Methuselah’s beard and old man’s beard, Usnea longissima is a lichen in the family Parmeliaceae (Kingdom Fungi).Usnea longissima is found in Western Europe and North America. hand dyed yarn inspired by the quiet beauty of nature : hand dyed in sackville, nb canada Bearded Lichen (Usnea longissima Ach. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is …