SafePlants

Dot Lichen: An Overview

The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted Lichens" is another related term used for lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Group: Lichen
• Family: Arthoniaceae (for some Dot Lichens)
• Rank: Genus (Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia)

Distribution and Habitat

• Found in various locations, including the New Orleans area, Mount Rainier National Park, and Bahia Honda Key, Florida.
• Observed on substrates such as rocks, birch bark (Leptorhaphis epidermidis, Leptorhaphis atomaria), and palm tree bark (Arthonia rubella).

Morphological Characteristics

• Described as growing in small dots.
• Some species, like Mycobilimbia pilularis, are crustose lichens with a grayish-green thallus and yellowy-brown apothecia.
• Dibaeis absoluta (Pink Dot Lichen) has pink apothecia born on very short stalks.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the physical characteristics of some Dot Lichens, such as their small, dot-like appearance, and the presence of stalks in species like Dibaeis absoluta. It is important to prevent pets from consuming any lichen.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions the physical characteristics of some Dot Lichens, such as their small, dot-like appearance, and the presence of stalks in species like Dibaeis absoluta. It is important to prevent children from consuming any lichen.

Quirky Facts

• Some dot lichens are so abundant that they go unnoticed by most people.
• The text references someone exclaiming "I'm lichen it!" in an article about eating oak moss.

Examples of Dot Lichen Species and Related Names

• Arthonia arthonioides - Dot Lichen
• Arthonia asteriscus - Dot Lichen
• Arthonia exilis
• Arthonia dispersa - Dispersed Dot Lichen
• Arthonia tuckermaniana - Tuckerman's Dot Lichen
• Arthonia glebosa - Dot Lichen
• Arthonia rubella - Dot Lichen
• Micarea erratica - Erratic Dot Lichen
• Micarea globulosella - Globe Dot Lichen
• Micarea nitschkeana - Nitschke's Dot Lichen
• Mycobilimbia pilularis - 'Dot Lichen'
• Leptorhaphis epidermidis - Birchbark Dot Lichen
• Leptorhaphis atomaria - Birchbark Dot Lichen
• Dibaeis absoluta - Pink Dot Lichen
• Protoblastenia rupestris - Orange Dot Lichen
• Japewia tornoensis - Hidden Dot Lichen
• Bacidia rubella - Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen
• Scoliciosporum chlorococcum - City Dot Lichen
• Caloplaca arenaria - Granite Firedot Lichen
• Caloplaca holocarpa - Firedot Lichen, Frosted-rimmed Dot Lichen
• Cliostomum griffithii - Multicolored Dot Lichen
• Trypethelium virens - City dot lichen*

Further Resources

• Encyclopedia of Life
• Catalogue of Life
• USDA
• MO (likely referring to the Missouri Botanical Garden)
• ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
• BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
• WikiSpecies
• Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
• ResearchGate