'Antlered perfume' or Oakmoss
Antlered perfume (Evernia prunastri)
Evernia prunastri
Lichens
'Antlered perfume' lichen, or oakmoss, is one of the most common lichens in our area. It is shrubby with flat, forked (antler-like) branches, pale green on the top surface and whitish on the underside, at attached at a single point to wood or bark (generally not to rocks). In winter, you can find Evernia on branches that have fallen to the ground. It is named "oakmoss" because it grows on oak trees, but also on firs and pines. 'Antlered perfume' is because of its fragrant compounds that have been used for centuries as a base note and fixative for perfumes.