SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 14515.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "14515" 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

dirinaria lichen

Scientific Name: Dirinaria confusa

Family: Physciaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dirinaria picta: An Overview

Dirinaria picta, commonly known as Dirinaria Lichen, is a fascinating lichen species with a widespread distribution, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some species of Dirinaria have an upper part encrusted with lichen acids.
  • Dirinaria species may grow on tree trunks in gardens and public spaces.

Considerations for Children

  • Some species of Dirinaria have an upper part encrusted with lichen acids.
  • Dirinaria species may grow on tree trunks in gardens and public spaces.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Dirinaria picta (Sw.) Schaer. ex Clem.
  • Common Name: Dirinaria Lichen
  • Family: Physciaceae (sometimes listed as Caliciaceae)
  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Synonyms:
    • Lichen pictus Sw.
    • Dirinaria aspera (H. Magn.) D.D. Awasthi
    • Physcia aspera H. Magn.
    • Dirinaria aegialita (Afzel. ex Ach.) B.J. Moore

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dirinaria is mainly a pantropical and subtropical genus.
  • Dirinaria picta has been found growing on trees in Thailand and on the Galapagos Islands.
  • It is found in the USA and Canada, with Dirinaria confluens mapped in this region.
  • Dirinaria aegialita has been recorded in Taiwan.
  • Studies have taken place at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Ecological Role

  • Dirinaria picta can be found growing on tree trunks.
  • Lichens can be used as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. For instance, Dirinaria picta has been studied in Singapore for this purpose.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Dirinaria are lichenized fungi.
  • Dirinaria is a slow-growing symbiotic organism that consists of a fungus and algae.
  • Some species are scarlet red.
  • Some species of Dirinaria have narrow lobes and are tightly attached.
  • The underside can be black and lacking.

Genetic Information

  • A non-reducing polyketide synthase gene (DnPKS, 8162 bp) has been characterized from Dirinaria applanata. Its expression is down-regulated by sucrose and up-regulated by other factors.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Dirinaria is a symbiotic organism that consists of a fungus and an algae.

Further Resources

  • Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora
  • Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • A Monograph of the Lichen Genus Dirinaria by D.D. Awasthi (1975)
  • Bibliotheca Lichenologica