No images found for this plant ID: 153.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "153" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
cracked lichen
Scientific Name: Acarospora arenacea
Family: Acarosporaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Cracked Lichens (Acarospora spp.)
Cracked lichens, often resembling cobblestone roads or cracked paint, belong to the genus Acarospora. Several species within this genus are referred to as "cracked lichen," including Acarospora aeruginosa, Acarospora albomarginata, Acarospora hilaris, Acarospora schleicheri, Acarospora arenosa, and Acarospora badiofusca.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota
- Class: Lecanoromycetes
- Order: Agyriales
- Family: Acarosporaceae
- Genus: Acarospora
- Common Names: Cobblestone lichens, Cracked lichens
Distribution and Habitat
- Cracked lichens are extremely rare and grow in very inhospitable regions.
- They can be found on rocks, including granite, and sometimes on other surfaces like sandstone cliffs.
- Specific locations mentioned include:
- Idaho
- Rocky Mountains
- Planalto das Cezaredas, Portugal
- Noss Head (growing on sandstone cliffs with Scentless mayweed)
Morphological Characteristics
- The lichen thallus (body) can be cracked-areolate, forming a continuous crust that cracks during growth.
- Initially, the thallus consists of separate lumps that grow together to form a continuous, cracked surface.
- Some species, like one mentioned in the context of yellow areoles, have angular, bright yellow aeroles with small, darker apothecia (fruiting bodies) immersed in the areoles.
- Buellia subalbula is noted as a lichen with a distinctive white, cracked thallus that appears slightly frosted.
Considerations for Pets
- Lichens, in general, can grow on various surfaces, including rocks and wood. If pets spend time in environments where lichens are present, it is worth noting that the thallus can be fragile and may detach, potentially being ingested.
Considerations for Children
- Given that lichens can grow on rocks, children playing in natural settings might come into contact with them. Some descriptions mention a "cracked" appearance, which could mean small, detachable pieces.
Ecological Role
- Lichens contribute to the breakdown of rocks, although the process is very slow. Their activity can cause rocks to crack and break apart over time.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cracked lichens can co-exist with other organisms, such as Scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum), which has been observed growing on cracked lichen-covered sandstone cliffs.
Further Information
- Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist