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erioderma lichen

Scientific Name: Erioderma mollissimum

Family: Pannariaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Boreal Felt Lichen (Erioderma pedicellatum)

The boreal felt lichen, scientifically known as Erioderma pedicellatum, is a fascinating and critically endangered lichen species. It's often referred to as "boreal felt lichen" due to its characteristic fuzzy appearance. It is also sometimes called "pedicelled erioderma lichen" in the U.S.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P.M. Jrg.
  • Family: Pannariaceae
  • Genus: Erioderma
  • Synonyms: Erioderma boreale Ahlner

Distribution and Habitat

  • Erioderma pedicellatum is an amphi-Atlantic species.
  • It is known to occur in at least nine locations along the eastern and southern shores of Nova Scotia.
  • It is largely confined to the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Other locations include Norway, Sweden, Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, and historically the United States.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Erioderma pedicellatum is a medium-sized, foliose (leafy) lichen.
  • It grows on the branches and trunks of trees, particularly balsam fir in Nova Scotia.
  • Other Erioderma species are described as small, pale brown to mouse-ear-like or felt lichens.

Ecological Role and Conservation Status

  • The worldwide population of the boreal felt lichen is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
  • It is protected under the Federal Species at Risk Act in Canada.
  • Over 95% of the current population is threatened.

Quirky Facts

  • The boreal felt lichen is sometimes called the "panda bear" of lichens because of its extreme rarity.
  • The lichen genus Erioderma has a center of speciation in the islands of Southeast Asia, particularly species-rich in Ecuador.
  • There are species in China and Japan.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Erioderma lichens are lichen~fonning fungi that form mutualistic symbiotic organisms.

Further Information

  • COSEWIC assessment and status reports.
  • Recovery Strategies published by Environment Canada.
  • Management Plans developed for Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species&#8482.