SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 12020.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "12020" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

jelly lichen

Scientific Name: Collema thamnodes

Family: Collemataceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

River Jelly Lichen

The River Jelly Lichen, scientifically known as Collema dichotomum, is a fascinating lichen species with a unique appearance and ecological niche. It is also known as Dotted Jelly Lichen, Crinkled Jelly Lichen, Small-spored jelly lichen and Tar Jelly Lichen.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some jelly lichens absorb water until jelly-like, so they may be interesting to pets.
  • The thallus forms flattened or erect rosettes.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Collema dichotomum (With.) Coppins &amp Laundon
  • Common Name: River Jelly Lichen
  • Family: Collemataceae
  • Order: Lecanorales
  • Synonyms: C. ohioense

Distribution and Habitat

  • The River Jelly Lichen is found in the upper reaches of rivers, specifically growing on submerged rocks and boulders in fast-flowing water.
  • It is found in regions such as Northumberland and Wales.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • The thallus (lichen body) forms flattened or erect rosettes, ranging in color from bright to dark green. When wet, it becomes gelatinous.
  • Individual lobes are convex, finger-like, and typically one to two centimeters long.
  • The thallus is foliose, black, and can reach 2-4 cm broad. Lobes are broadly rounded, lacking isidia and soredia. Spores are hyaline and 4-septate, measuring 20-40 by 3-4.5.

Classification and Symbiosis

  • Belongs to the cyanolichens group, indicating a symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria.
  • The photobiont (the photosynthetic partner) is the cyanobacterium genus Nostoc.

Quirky Facts

  • Collema dichotomum can resemble seaweed more than a typical lichen.
  • The lichen absorbs water until jelly-like.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Mentioned in the context of considering the impact of canoe access on salmonid populations.

Related Species

  • Other species in the Collema genus include Collema fasciculare, Collema crispum, Collema auriforme, Collema flaccidum, Collema fragile, Collema multipartitum, Collema furfuraceum, Collema nigrescens, Collema tenax, Collema coccophorum, and Collema conglomeratum.

Further Information

  • ARKive
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • A-P-H-O-T-O Photographic Stock Libraries
  • ResearchGate