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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia excedens

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen

The common name "Dot Lichen" refers to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted lichens" may specifically refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia) and Ramalinaceae (for poplar dot lichen)
  • Kingdom: Fungi (Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria)
  • Phylum: Ascomycota (for City Dot Lichen)
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes (for City Dot Lichen)
  • Order: Unknown (for City Dot Lichen)
  • Synonyms: Bacidia chlorococca (for City Dot Lichen - Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
  • Alternative Scientific Names: Several species of dot lichen are mentioned throughout the text.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions "Preserved lichen pendent with tree dot signature.. Hemp wick necklace for y survival need in nature." This may present a choking hazard if ingested by pets and the hemp wick could cause digestive upset.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens are mentioned as being abundant in the New Orleans area.
  • They are also found on rocks in Mt. Rainier National Park.
  • Specific occurrences include:
    • Dot Lichen on Palm tree bark in Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.
    • Birchbark Dot Lichens.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis 'Dot Lichen' is described as a crustose lichen with a grayish green thallus (body) lacking soredia or isidia, and having yellowy brown biatorine, convex apothecia (fruiting bodies).
  • DIBAEIS ABSOLUTA (Tuck.) Kalb & Gierl, also known as Pink Dot Lichen, exhibits pink apothecia borne on very short stalks (approximately 1 mm).

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Dot lichens can grow on tree bark (e.g., palm tree bark).

Further Information

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

Quirky Facts

  • There is mention of a headline in the Times regarding eating oak moss: "I'm lichen it!".