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Asahinea Lichen

Explore the fascinating world of Asahinea, a genus of lichenized fungi belonging to the Parmeliaceae family.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Asahinea W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb.
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Family: Parmeliaceae

Several species exist within this genus, including:

• Asahinea chrysantha (Tuck.) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. (synonym: Cetraria chrysantha Tuck.)
• Asahinea scholanderi (Llano) Culb. & C. Culb. (synonyms: Cetraria septentrionalis Almq., Cetraria saviczii Oxner & Rass.)
• Asahinea chrysantha f. cinerascens (Asahina) J.C. Wei
• Asahinea kurodakensis (considered conspecific with another Asahinea species)

Common Names

• Asahinea chrysantha: Golden Asahinea Lichen, Arctic Rag Lichen, Golden Hankie Lichen
• Asahinea scholanderi: Scholander's Rag Lichen, Silver Hankie Lichen

Distribution and Habitat

The Asahinea genus has a widespread circumpolar distribution. Asahinea chrysantha, for example, is found in the American Arctic, Alaska, the northern region of the Soviet Far East, Fennoscandia (Norway), and Tibet. It is also found in Australia. These lichens often grow on rocks or tundra soil.

Quirky Facts

• Asahinea scholanderi, when extracted with hexane, has yielded seven anthraquinone pigments, including chrysophanol, islandicin, cynodontin, and emodin.
• The cortical surface of Asahinea was among the first lichens examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• A center of speciation of Asahinea is proposed in Soviet Primorje or Japan.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Asahinea can grow on naked rock, sometimes over other saxicolous lichens (both crustose species).
• Some fungi are lichenicolous, meaning they are parasites on living lichens, including Asahinea.
• Asahinea can be substrate for lichen community.

Further Information

For more information, you can consult resources like:

• GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
• ResearchGate
• Mushroom Observer