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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia lapidicola

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen

The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted lichens" are lichens in the genus Bacidia. It's important to note that the common name can sometimes overlap with the scientific name of a lichen species.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • Some dot lichens grow on trees, rocks, or other outdoor surfaces, which may be accessible to pets or children.
  • The text mentions lichens "clinging" to surfaces, suggesting a potentially abrasive texture.
  • Several species are described as "crustose," indicating a hard, crust-like growth form.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some species, also Ramalinaceae, Icmadophilaceae)
  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Phylum: Ascomycota
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes
  • Order: (Unspecified within Ascomycota)
  • Synonyms/Related terms: Dotted Lichens (genus Bacidia)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens can be found in various locations, including:
    • Mount Rainier National Park (growing on rocks)
    • New Orleans area (abundant)
    • Bahia Honda Key, Florida (on Palm tree bark)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Some dot lichens are described as "crustose," with a grayish-green thallus (body).
  • Some have apothecia (fruiting bodies) that are yellowy-brown, biatorine, and convex.
  • The Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia born on short stalks (ca. 1 mm).
  • Some lichens grow as small dots.

Common Names and Examples

  • Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis)
  • Orange Dot Lichen (Protoblastenia rupestris)
  • Hidden Dot Lichen (Japewia tornoensis)
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta)
  • Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen (Bacidia rubella)
  • City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
  • Granite firedot lichen (Caloplaca arenaria)
  • Firedot lichen (Caloplaca holocarpa)
  • Multicolored dot lichen (Cliostomum griffithii)
  • Dispersed dot lichen (Arthonia dispersa)
  • Tuckerman's dot lichen (Arthonia tuckermaniana)
  • Nitschke's dot lichen (Micarea nitschkeana)
  • cherry-laurel dot lichen
  • Sulfur Firedot Lichen
  • Scatter-dot Goldspeck Lichen

Resources and Further Information

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

Quirky Facts

  • One article headline about eating oak moss was "I'm lichen it!"