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peltula lichen
Scientific Name: Peltula
Family: Peltulaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Peltula Lichen
Peltula is a genus of lichens characterized by small, dark brown to olive or dark gray squamulose structures. These lichens can be found growing on rocks (saxicolous) or soil (terricolous).
Considerations for Pets
- Some Peltula species can be found forming biological soil crusts.
Considerations for Children
- Some Peltula species can be found forming biological soil crusts.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Peltula
- Common Names: Peltula Lichen, Rock Olive Lichen, Bolander's Peltula Lichen
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Lichens
- Family: Peltulaceae
- Synonyms:
- Dermatocarpon euplocum (Ach.) A.L. Sm.
- Lichen euplocus Ach.
Distribution and Habitat
- Peltula species are found in various regions, including:
- Australia (Kimberleys, Western Australia)
- Arizona Sonoran Desert
- Netherlands Antilles (Saba)
- USA and Canada
- Namibia (Nama Karoo)
- Channel Islands, California
- They inhabit arid environments and biological soil crusts.
Morphological Characteristics
- Small, dark brown to olive or dark gray squamulose lichens.
- May have flattened to erect, rather round lobes.
- Peltula euploca is a small, foliose, stratified lichen up to 1 (-1.5) cm wide, with bluish, grayish, olive, or blackish soredia.
Ecological Role
- Some Peltula species, such as Peltula patellata and P. richardsii, are cyanolichens found in lichen-dominated biological soil crusts.
Quirky Facts
- Peltula lichens sometimes contain cyanobacteria, which fix nitrogen.
Further Information
- Lichens of North America by I.M. Brodo, S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff (2001)