SafePlants

Acarospora heppii

Acarospora heppii, commonly known as Hepp's cracked lichen, is a lichenous plant.

Considerations for Pets

• This lichen often grows in cracks of rocks and other substrates.
• The cracked texture of the thallus may be interesting to pets.

Considerations for Children

• This lichen often grows in cracks of rocks and other substrates.
• The cracked texture of the thallus may be interesting to children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acarospora heppii (Nageli ex Hepp) Nageli ex Krb.
• Common Names: Hepp's cracked lichen, cracked lichen, big spore cracked lichen, Schleicher's cracked lichen, Asahina's cracked lichen
• Synonyms:
  • Acarospora macrospora (Hepp) Bagl.
  • Acarospora macrospora (Hepp) A.Massal. ex Bagl.
  • Myriospora macrospora Hepp 1853

Morphological Characteristics

• Thallus: Almost white to pale grey, often tinged brown, cracked areolate.
• Areoles: Smooth, flat to slightly convex.
• Thallus can be continuous, thin, immersed or superficial, then varnish-like or warted, without cracks surface: pale gray or...
• Thallus crustose, 2-5 cm, thick and then dull white to thin and then greyish, cracked-areolate and humpy, dark prothallus absent.

Distribution and Habitat

• Found in various regions, including the Greater Sonoran Desert Region, India, and Nepal.
• Often found growing on rocks, in cracks, and on various substrates in different environments.
• Observed in habitats ranging from polar deserts to montane oceanic sites.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Observed to interact with algae, which may grow on the lichen thallus surface or in cracks or cavities within the lichen.