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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia diffusella

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen: An Overview

The common name "Dot Lichen" refers to lichens found within the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted lichens" are those classified under the genus Bacidia.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some dot lichens grow on tree bark, including palm trees.

Considerations for Children

  • Some dot lichens grow on rocks.
  • Some dot lichens are small and dot-like.

Quirky Facts

  • One article headline reads "I'm lichen it!" referencing the consumption of oak moss, showing a play on words with the word 'lichen'.
  • One lichen is described as "blazing firedot lichen clinging to a slab."

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Arthoniaceae
  • Group: Lichen
  • Genera: Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia
  • Synonyms/Related Names:
    • Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis)
    • Hidden Dot Lichen (Japewia toroensis)
    • Orange Dot Lichen (Protoblastenia rupestris)
    • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta)
    • Cherry-laurel dot lichen
    • City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum, Synonyms: Bacidia chlorococca)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens are found in various locations, including:
    • New Orleans area
    • Mt. Rainier National Park (growing on rocks)
    • Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA (growing on palm tree bark)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis, a "Dot Lichen", is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus without soredia or isidia, and yellowy-brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • DIBAEIS ABSOLUTA (Pink Dot Lichen) features pink apothecia born on very short (ca. 1 mm) stalks.
  • Speckled Shield Lichens (Punctelia bolliana) are grey foliose lichens with a few tiny white dots and lots of tiny lobules.
  • Some lichens grow in small dots on rocks.

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life
  • ResearchGate
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • USDA