No images found for this plant ID: 13523.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "13523" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
soot lichen
Scientific Name: Cyphelium pinicola
Family: Caliciaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Soot Lichen: A Comprehensive Overview
This page provides information about Soot Lichen, a fascinating group of lichenized fungi. Due to the diversity encompassed by the name "Soot Lichen," it's important to consider the specific species when researching. We will explore various aspects of these lichens, from their classification and distribution to their ecological role and interactions with other organisms.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that Soot Lichen grows on wood, sometimes in areas with smoke and soot deposits. Consider the potential for exposure to environmental pollutants if the lichen is found on treated wood or in industrial areas.
Common and Scientific Names
- Common Name: Soot Lichen
- Scientific Name: This common name applies to several species within the genus Cyphelium, including:
- Cyphelium notarisii
- Cyphelium pinicola
- Cyphelium lucidum
- Cyphelium tigillare
- Cyphelium brunneum
- Cyphelium inquinans
- Cyphelium karelicum
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota (for Cyphelium lucidum, and likely applicable to other Cyphelium species)
- Family: Caliciaceae
- Synonyms: Cyphelium inquinans (Sm.) Trevis. is a synonym for a species of Soot Lichen.
Distribution and Habitat
- Soot Lichens are found in Europe and North America.
- They typically grow on wood, including old trees and charred pine stumps.
- Specific locations mentioned include the North Shore of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada, Ruhnu, and Idaho.
- They have a broken circumboreal distribution.
Ecological Role
- Lichens, including Soot Lichens, are natural indicators of air pollution. They are sensitive to soot and other pollutants in the air.
- The presence or absence of lichens can be an indicator of air quality in a given area. The spread of factories and their soot emission impacted their growth.
Morphological Characteristics
- Soot Lichen fruiting bodies are small and disc-shaped.
- They can be solitary and black in color.
- Some species, such as Cyphelium lucidum and Cyphelium tigillare, are yellow soot lichens with yellow areoles and black apothecia. These apothecia may be immersed in the thallus.
- They are crustose lichens.
Quirky Facts
- The text mentions the impact of soot from factories during the Industrial Revolution on lichen populations, highlighting their sensitivity to air pollution.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The presence of soot lichens can be affected by industrial melanism. When soot coats trees, the lichen dies and the tree trunk becomes dark.
- They are sensitive to air pollution and soot deposits, impacting their growth and survival.
Further Information
- Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
- Lichens and Allied Fungi of The Arboretum, Guelph, Ontario