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hispid agrestia lichen
Scientific Name: Agrestia hispida
Family: Hymeneliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Agrestia hispida
Agrestia hispida, commonly known as Hispid Agrestia Lichen or Desert Vagabond Lichen, is a fascinating lichen species belonging to the family Hymeneliaceae.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Agrestia hispida (Mereschk.) Hale & W.L. Culb.
- Family: Hymeneliaceae
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Division: Ascomycota
- Class: Ascomycetes
- Order: Lecanorales
- Synonyms:
- Aspicilia hispida Mereschk.
- Agrestia cyphellata J.W. Thomson
- Circinaria hispida
- Alternative Scientific Names: Agrestia hispida (Mereschk.) J.W. Thomson
Distribution and Habitat
- Agrestia hispida is found in North America and Eurasia.
- In the U.S., it is known from Washington and eastern Oregon to eastern Montana and the northern Great Plains.
- It also grows in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada.
- This lichen typically grows on calcareous soil.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Agrestia hispida is a lichenous plant, specifically a lichen.
- It is described as both "vagrant" and "dwarf fruticose."
- Some classify it as a "crustose" lichen as well.
Ecological Role
- Agrestia hispida is part of the steppe zone and is found in desert habitats.
- In some regions, it is considered "Imperiled".
Quirky Facts
- It is also referred to as Desert Tumbleweed Lichen due to it's vagrant nature.
Further Information
- USDA PLANTS Database
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
- LIASlight
- NatureServe
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Lichen Herbarium