SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 3661.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "3661" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia varia

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen

The common name "Dot Lichen" refers to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. "Dotted lichens" may refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Lichens are fascinating organisms, and "Dot Lichen" encompasses a variety of species. This page provides information gathered from various sources to help you learn more about these often-overlooked members of our ecosystem.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some descriptions mention lichens "clinging" to substrates like rocks and bark. While lichens are generally not considered toxic, pets ingesting large quantities of any unfamiliar substance could experience digestive upset.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some Dot Lichens) and Icmadophilaceae (for Pink Dot Lichen) and Ramalinaceae (for poplar dot lichen)
  • Genera: Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia, Mycobilimbia, Dibaeis, Leptorhaphis, Scoliciosporum, Punctelia, Caloplaca
  • Species Examples:
    • Protoblastenia rupestris (Orange Dot Lichen)
    • Japewia tornoensis (Hidden Dot Lichen)
    • Mycobilimbia pilularis
    • Dibaeis absoluta (Pink Dot Lichen)
    • Bacidia rubella (Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen)
    • Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (City Dot Lichen, Syn: Bacidia chlorococca)
    • Leptorhaphis epidermidis (Birchbark Dot Lichen)
    • Leptorhaphis atomaria (Birchbark Dot Lichen)
    • Micarea globulosella (Globe Dot Lichen)
    • Arthonia rubella (Dot Lichen on Palm tree bark)
    • Arthonia vinosa
    • Arthonia dispersa (dispersed dot lichen)
    • Arthonia tuckermaniana (Tuckerman's dot lichen)
    • Micarea nitschkeana (Nitschke's dot lichen)
    • Arthonia glebosa Tuck.
  • Synonyms: The City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum) has a synonym of Bacidia chlorococca.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens are found in various locations, including:
    • New Orleans area (very abundant)
    • Mount Rainier National Park (growing on rocks)
    • Bahia Honda Key, Florida (on Palm tree bark)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus without soredia or isidia, and yellowy brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • DIBAEIS ABSOLUTA (Pink Dot Lichen) features pink apothecia born on very short (ca. 1 mm) stalks.

Quirky Facts

  • Some sources mention the frustration of trying to find lichen uses for specific species or genera, and having to provide more general information.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • "Blazing firedot lichen" can be found "clinging to a slab".

Further Information

  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • ResearchGate
  • MO
  • ToL
  • BHL
  • WikiSpecies
  • Schumm F.: Homepage von Dr. Felix Schumm