SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 14083.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "14083" 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

degelia lichen

Scientific Name: Degelia

Family: Pannariaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Degelia Lichen

This page provides information about lichens from the Degelia genus, particularly focusing on Degelia plumbea and Degelia atlantica.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Degelia Arv. &amp D. J. Galloway (Genus); Degelia plumbea (Lightf.) P. M. Jrg. (Species); Degelia cyanoloma (Schaer.) H.H. Blom &amp L. Lindblom (Species); Degelia atlantica (Species)
  • Common Name: degelia lichen, Blue Felt Lichen, Leaden shield lichen, Plum-fruited Felt Lichen
  • Family: Pannariaceae
  • Rank: Genus, Species
  • Synonyms for Degelia cyanoloma:
    • Degelia plumbea auct. p.p.
    • Parmeliella plumbea auct. p.p.
    • Pectenia cyanoloma
  • Taxon Reference: Degelia plumbea (Lightf.) P.M. Jrg. &amp P. James, NHMSYS0001480401

Distribution and Habitat

  • Degelia lichens are found in the Southern Hemisphere, including Tasmania.
  • Degelia plumbea is the only species of Degelia found in North America. It occurs in the Atlantic region of Canada, specifically Nova Scotia, which represents its northerly limit of distribution.
  • Observed on multiple trees in Sir Robert Bond park in Markland, Avalon Peninsula.
  • These lichens are associated with old-forest environments and Atlantic hazel woodlands.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Thallus: Foliose (leafy) body type. Thallus can grow up to 10cm in diameter.
  • The thallus of Degelia species is typically blue-grey to lead grey, sometimes brownish grey when dry. When wet, the thallus of some species such as Degelia cyanoloma can be dark blue.
  • The upper surface of the thallus is marked with longitudinal marks and striations.
  • The lobes often have concentrically undulate-ridged patterns, sometimes crescent-shaped rings.
  • The thallus has a jelly-like texture when wet and shrinks and becomes strongly wrinkled when dry.
  • Some species, like Degelia plumbea, are described as having a felted blue-black texture.
  • Degelia cyanoloma differs notably by its large size and more pronounced ribbed lobes.

Ecological Role

  • Degelia is a threatened genus of epiphytic lichen species in central Spain.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Degelia is a lichen, which is a symbiotic organism comprising a fungus (the mycobiont) and an alga or cyanobacterium (the photobiont).
  • Degelia is associated with cyanobacteria as its photobiont.

Quirky Facts

  • The description of the lichen's appearance changing dramatically depending on whether it is wet or dry – from a jelly-like texture and blue-grey color when wet, to a shrunken, wrinkled, and brownish-grey appearance when dry – is quite striking.

Resources and Further Information

  • The British Lichen Society: Promoting the Study, Enjoyment and Conservation of Lichens.
  • APHOTOFUNGI - Photographic Stock Library Page for Degelia atlantica ( The Lichen Gallery).
  • ResearchGate: Degelia, A New Lichen Genus in the Pannariaceae.
  • Lichen Atlas of the British Isles.