Specimen #11 Lichen

Specimen 11: Lichen

Figure 1: Pale mint green, thick and cottony thallus.

Figure 2: Rounded edges, consisting mostly of soredia with a powdery, dust appearance.

Figure 3: Image showing the small size of this species (<1.5 cm in this photo).

Scientific Name: Lepraria lobificans
Common Name: Fluffy Dust Lichen
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Stereocaulaceae 
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Rocks and trees in shade; one of the most shade tolerant lichens 
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Fairly thick, fluffy thallus consisting of mostly soredia, thallus is pale yellow-green to greenish gray, often rounded edges; crustose
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used:
Ohio Division of Wildlife. 2015. Common Lichens of Ohio: Field Guide. ODNR Division of Wildlife. Columbus, OH.

Walewski, J. 2007. Lichens of the North Woods. Kollath+Stensaas Publishing. Duluth, MN.

Key Steps:

• Key 1: photo found on pp. 17

• Key 2:
• Trees Section (green)
• Crustose Section (blue)
• Fluffy Dust Lichen; common on tree bases and shaded rock, yellowish-green to pale mint green, thick and cottony, fuzzy or dusty surface--> Lepraria lobificans pp. 99

Ecology:
One of the most commonly found dust lichens in North America (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). This species is a source of soredia that camouflage lacewing larvae (Ohio Division of Wildlife).

Links:

http://www.lichens.lastdragon.org/Lepraria_lobificans.html
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Lepraria+lobificans
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=Scientific_Name&search_value=Lepraria%20lobificans&search_kingdom=Fungal&search_span=exactly_for&categories=All&source=html&search_credRating=All#
http://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-lepraria-lobificans/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CRAL10

Lichen Links:

http://www.backyardnature.net/lichens.htm
http://www.lichen.com
http://www.lichen.com/biology.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/lichens/lichens.html