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jelly lichen

Scientific Name: Collema tenax var. ceranoides

Family: Collemataceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

River Jelly Lichen

This page provides information about the River Jelly Lichen, focusing on its identification, distribution, and ecological role. It also highlights considerations for pet and child safety, along with some intriguing facts about this unique organism.

Considerations for Pets

  • The thallus (lichen body) forms flattened or erect rosettes.
  • Grows on submerged rocks and boulders.

Considerations for Children

  • The thallus (lichen body) forms flattened or erect rosettes.
  • Grows on submerged rocks and boulders.
  • Becomes gelatinous when wet.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Collema dichotomum (With.) Coppins &amp J.R. Laundon
  • Common Name: River Jelly Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Collemataceae
  • Order: Lecanorales
  • Synonyms: C. ohioense (for Collema conglomeratum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Found in the upper reaches of rivers.
  • Grows on submerged rocks and boulders in fast-flowing water.
  • Observed in Northumberland, Wales, and other locations.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The thallus is foliose, reaching 2-4 cm in breadth.
  • It is black and gelatinous when wet.
  • Features broadly rounded lobes.
  • Spores are 4-septate, hyaline, and measure 20-40 by 3-4.5 ?m.
  • Some jelly lichens have finger-like lobes that are one to two centimetres long.

Ecology

  • It is a cyanolichen, meaning its photobiont is a cyanobacterium, specifically from the genus Nostoc.

Quirky Facts

  • The River Jelly Lichen looks more like seaweed than a lichen.
  • When it rains, some jelly lichens absorb water until they become jelly-like.

Related Species and Information

  • Other Collema species mentioned include: Collema fasciculare, Collema crispum, Collema auriforme, Collema flaccidum, Collema fragile, Collema multipartitum, Collema furfuraceum, Collema nigrescens, Collema tenax, Collema conglomeratum, Collema coccophorum and Collema fuscovirens.
  • Also mentioned is Leptogium gelatinosum and Leptogium aragonhi.
  • Tar Jelly Lichen (Collema coccophorum) is another species within the same family.

Further Information

  • ARKive (mentioned for photos and facts)
  • Encyclopedia of Life (mentioned for summaries and articles)
  • Australian Plant Names Index