Specimen #12 Lichen

Specimen 12: Lichen

Figure 1: The pale gray-green surface exposing the bright red/orange medulla can be seen from this profile view. The powdery surface is due to soredia. 

Figure 2: The upper surface, brightly colored medulla, and black lower surface with some white-tipped rhizomes are visible. The powdery soredia are present, as well. Lobes are visibly small in size. 

Scientific Name: Phaeophyscia rubropulchra
Common Name: Orange-cored Shadow Lichen
Order: Teloschistales
Family: Phyciaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Grows on tree bark and rocks in light to deep shade; shade tolerant; rarely on conifers, moss or rock
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Medulla is orange/red; gray/green upper surface; lower surface black, rhizines have white tips; soredia present on lobe margins; lobes 0.5-1.2 mm;
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. 46

• Key 2:
• Trees Section (green)
• Foliose Section (purple)
• Orange-cored Shadow Lichen, foliose pale to dark green, small lobed, red-orange inner core, found on bark of deciduous trees in shaded forests --> Phaeophyscia rubropulchra pp. 118

Ecology:
This species is common on trees in the eastern United States and is widespread and common in Ohio around tree bases (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). The species is fairly tolerant to shade and is commonly grazed by slugs, which eat the upper cortex, exposing the brightly colored medulla (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). 

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-phaeophyscia-rubropulchra/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHRU4
http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=Phaeophyscia+rubropulchra
http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?print=yes&q=record_ID:nmnhbotany_2031385
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=191075

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