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coenogonium lichen

Scientific Name: Coenogonium interpositum

Family: Gyalectaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Coenogonium Lichen

Coenogonium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the family Coenogoniaceae.

Common Names

  • Coenogonium Lichen
  • Orange pixie-hair lichen
  • Pixie-hair Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: Plantae (note that lichens are fungi, and therefore do not belong to the plant kingdom)
  • Phylum: Lichens
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes
  • Order: Ostropales, Gyalectales
  • Family: Coenogoniaceae, Gyalectaceae
  • Genus: Coenogonium C.G. Ehrenberg in C.G.D. Nees von Esenbeck, 1820
  • Synonyms: Mentions inclusion of genus Dimerella in Coenogonium.

Distribution and Habitat

Coenogonium species are found worldwide, including:

  • USA and Canada
  • South Korea
  • Costa Rica
  • NE Brazil (Paraba)
  • Vietnam
  • Dominican Republic
  • China (Yunnan)

They commonly grow on stems, hanging roots, and lianas in the understory of neotropical regions, as well as on leaves and bark. Some species are foliicolous (growing on leaves) or corticolous (growing on bark).

Morphological Characteristics

  • Filamentous lichen
  • Byssoid lichens (wispy growth form, appearing like teased wool) - e.g., Coenogonium implexum
  • Crustose
  • Green to yellow-orange
  • Some species have light orange apothecia
  • Some species have green fan-shaped thalli consisting of filaments

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The algal component is the dominant symbiont.
  • Some species are lichenicolous fungi, growing on other lichens (e.g., Chiodecton epiphyllum on Coenogonium flavicans).

Resources and Further Information

  • Brodo, I.M., Sharnoff, S.D. and Sharnoff, S. (2001) Lichens of North America. Yale University Press.