SafePlants

Dot Lichen

Dot lichen is a common name applied to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted lichens" can also refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

It's important to note that the common name "dot lichen" is sometimes used interchangeably with the scientific name for certain lichen species, which can cause confusion.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• Some dot lichens grow on rocks, which might present a hard or uneven surface.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Group: Lichen
• Family: Arthoniaceae (for some species) and Icmadophilaceae (for Pink Dot Lichen) and Micareaceae (for Erractic Dot Lichen)

Distribution and Habitat

• One species is described as abundant in the New Orleans area.
• Another grows on rocks in Mt. Rainier National Park.
• One species (Arthonia rubella) has been observed on Palm tree bark in Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.

Morphological Characteristics

• Mycobilimbia pilularis, or 'Dot Lichen', is a crustose lichen with a grayish green thallus.
• Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia born on very short stalks (around 1 mm).
• Some lichens grow in small dots.

Notable Species

• Birchbark Dot Lichen: Leptorhaphis epidermidis or Leptorhaphis atomaria
• Orange Dot Lichen: Protoblastenia rupestris
• Hidden Dot Lichen: Japewia tornoensis
• Pink Dot Lichen: Dibaeis absoluta
• City Dot Lichen: Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (Synonym: Bacidia chlorococca)
• Erratic Dot Lichen: Micarea erratica
• Granite firedot lichen: Caloplaca arenaria
• Frosted -rimmed dot lichen: Caloplaca holocarpa
• Firedot lichen: Cliostomum griffithii

Quirky Facts

• One article headline was "I'm lichen it!" in reference to eating oak moss.

Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life
• Catalogue of Life
• USDA
• Missouri Botanical Garden (MO)
• Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)
• WikiSpecies
• Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
• ResearchGate