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Anzia Lichen

Anzia is a genus of lichenized ascomycetes within the family Parmeliaceae. Several species are mentioned within the provided text, some of which include:

• Anzia colpodes (Commonly known as "Black-foam Lichen")
• Anzia electra
• Anzia mahaeliyensis
• Anzia flavotenuis
• Anzia rhabdorhiza
• Anzia ornata (Commonly known as "Ornate Anzia Lichen")
• Anzia americana
• Anzia centrifuga
• Anzia semiteres

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Anzia
• Family: Parmeliaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae (based on "Facts on Anzia Lichen. Learn all about plants commonly known as Anzia Lichen on Garden Guides. From the Plants (or Plantae) Kingdom...")
• Division: Ascomycota

Distribution and Habitat

• Anzia species can be found in various regions, including the Greater Sonoran Desert, the Great Smoky Mountains (specifically Anzia colpodes), Sri Lanka (Anzia mahaeliyensis and Anzia flavotenuis), the Hengduan Mountains in China (Anzia rhabdorhiza), and New Guinea.
• Anzia colpodes is at the northern edge of its range in Canada, known from Ontario.

Morphological Characteristics

• Anzia colpodes, the Black-foam Lichen, is described as a leafy lichen that grows as greenish-grey rosettes, up to 20 cm across, on the trunks of deciduous trees. The lobes are 1-2 mm wide.
• Diagnostic features of unspecified Anzia species include limited size, paw-shaped lobes, and a dense, black webby mat of hyphae.

Fossil Record

• Fossilized Anzia specimens, specifically Anzia electra, have been found in Baltic amber dating back approximately 40 million years. Two specimens of Anzia have been found from European amber.

Further Information

• Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region, Vol 1. Tempe, AZ. by Stephen Sharnoff.
• Yoshimura, I.Sipman, H.J.M. Aptroot, A. 1995. The lichen genus Anzia in New Guinea. Bibliotheca Lichenologica. 58:439-469.
• Haugan, R. 1992. Anzia centrifuga, a new lichen species from Porto Santo, Madeira. Mycotaxon 44(1): 45-50.