SafePlants

Cracked Lichens (Acarospora spp.)

Cracked lichens, commonly known as cobblestone lichens, belong to the genus Acarospora. The name refers to the cracked appearance of their thallus, resembling a cobblestone road or cracked paint.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions "sheep-based drug cartel" which is not a physical characteristic of the lichen, so is not a concern.
• The texture of the lichen may cause rocks to crack.

Considerations for Children

• The texture of the lichen may cause rocks to crack.
• The lichen thallus is initially made up of separate lumps.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acarospora spp.
• Common Names: Cobblestone lichens, Cracked lichens
• Family: Acarosporaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Ascomycota
• Class: Lecanoromycetes
• Order: Agyriales
• Synonyms: Some species mentioned include:
  • Acarospora aeruginosa Hasse
  • Acarospora albomarginata (Herre) Salisb.
  • Acarospora hilaris
  • Acarospora arenosa Herre
  • Acarospora schleicheri
  • Acarospora nodulosa
  • Acarospora badiofusca
  • Acarospora impressula

Distribution and Habitat

• Narcotic lichen (likely a species of Acarospora) is rare and grows in desolate parts of the Rockies.
• Several mentions of specific species found in various locations, including Idaho, Britain, Ireland and Portugal (Planalto das Cezaredas).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The lichen thallus is initially made up of separate lumps that often grow together, producing a continuous, cracked surface.
• A continuous crust may partly or entirely crack during growth to give a 'cracked-areolate' thallus.
• Some species have a white, cracked thallus that appears slightly frosted.
• Cracked granite with lichen, granite lichen cracked.
• Some lichens work very slowly to break down rocks.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Grows on rocks, granite, sandstone cliffs, old trees, wooden planks, and railway sleepers.

Further Information

• Mushroom Observer (mushroomobserver.org)