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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia subastroidella

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichens: A Diverse Group of Lichens

The common name "Dot Lichen" refers to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted lichens" may also refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia. This group encompasses a wide variety of species with diverse characteristics and distributions.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some dot lichens grow on rocks and bark.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some Dot Lichens) and Icmadophilaceae (for Pink Dot Lichen)
  • Genera: Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia
  • Examples of Species and Synonyms:
    • Arthonia arthonioides (Ach.) A.L. Sm. - Dot Lichen
    • Arthonia asteriscus Mll. Arg. - Dot Lichen
    • Dibaeis absoluta (Tuck.) Kalb &amp Gierl. - Pink Dot Lichen (also referred to as Dibaeis absoluta (Tuckerman) Kalb &amp Gierl)
    • Micarea erratica - Erratic Dot Lichen
    • Scoliciosporum chlorococcum - City Dot Lichen (Synonym: Bacidia chlorococca)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens are found in various environments, including:
    • New Orleans area
    • Mount Rainier National Park (rocks)
    • Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA (Palm tree bark)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis 'Dot Lichen' is described as a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus and yellowy-brown, convex apothecia.
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia born on very short stalks (ca. 1 mm).

Quirky Facts

  • One article headline seen in the Times about eating oak moss read: "I'm lichen it!".

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • ResearchGate (for Conservation Assessments)