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cracked lichen
Scientific Name: Acarospora bullata
Family: Acarosporaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Cracked Lichen (Acarospora spp.)
The term "cracked lichen" is a common name applied to various species within the genus Acarospora. These lichens are known for their distinctive appearance, often resembling a cobblestone road or cracked paint.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Cracked lichens typically grow on rocks, which may be sharp or uneven.
- The lichen thallus can be cracked and potentially fragile.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Acarospora spp. (various species)
- Common Name: Cracked Lichen, Cobblestone Lichen
- Family: Acarosporaceae
- Kingdom: Fungi
Distribution and Habitat
- Cracked lichens are found in inhospitable regions.
- They commonly grow on rocks, including granite.
Morphological Characteristics
- The thallus (lichen body) can be cracked-areolate, meaning it has a cracked surface divided into small areas (areoles).
- The thallus is initially made up of separate lumps that may grow together.
- Some species have angular, bright yellow aeroles with small, dark apothecia (fruiting bodies) immersed within.
- Buellia subalbula, a lichen with a white cracked thallus, is often appears slightly frosted.
Ecological Role
- Lichens contribute to the breakdown of rocks through slow chemical and physical weathering processes.
Quirky Facts
- It can take decades for cracked lichens to grow over a single rock due to their slow growth rate.
Further Information
- Mushroom Observer: An online resource for fungal and lichen observations.
- Catalogue of Life: A comprehensive database of species information.