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Peltula Lichen

Peltula is a genus of lichens characterized by their small size and dark brown to olive or dark gray squamulose (scaly) appearance. They can be either saxicolous, growing on rock, or terricolous, growing on soil.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Peltula
• Common Name: Peltula Lichen, Rock Olive Lichen, Bolander's Peltula Lichen, Richards' Peltula Lichen
• Family: Peltulaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi (as Lichens are a symbiotic relationship primarily involving a fungus)
• Rank: Genus

Synonyms (for Peltula euploca):

• Dermatocarpon euplocum (Ach.) A.L. Sm.
• Lichen euplocus Ach.

Distribution and Habitat

• Peltula species are found in various regions, including Australia, Europe, North America (specifically the Sonoran Desert and California), and southern Africa (Namibia and the Republic of South Africa).
• They are well-represented in arid environments.
• They can be found on rock surfaces (saxicolous) and soil (terricolous).

Morphological Characteristics

• Peltula lichens are typically small, dark brown to olive or dark gray, and squamulose (scaly).
• Some species, like Peltula euploca, can grow up to 1 (-1.5) cm wide and have bluish, grayish, olive, or blackish soredia (small propagules for asexual reproduction).
• Some species, such as Peltula omphaliza, can exhibit smooth characteristics. Other species are scaly to minutely shrubby, with flattened to erect, rather round lobes.

Ecological Role

• Peltula species are a component of lichen-dominated biological soil crusts (BSCs).
• The lichens may contain cyanobacteria which fix nitrogen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Cyanobacteria can be present within the lichen.

Further Resources

• Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora
• Lichens of North America (Brodo, I.M., Sharnoff, S.D. and Sharnoff, S. (2001))
• Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
• California Lichen Society
• ResearchGate