SafePlants

Rimmed Lichen: A Closer Look

The term "rimmed lichen" encompasses a variety of lichen species, with several different scientific names applying depending on the specific lichen being referenced. This page provides a compilation of information regarding various lichens referred to as "rimmed lichen."

Considerations for Pets

• Cloches, sometimes rimmed with copper, are mentioned as a barrier to keep slugs and snails away from plants. These may present a physical obstacle for pets accessing certain areas.

Scientific Names and Common Names

• Common Name: Rimmed Lichen
• Some scientific names associated with "rimmed lichen" include:
  • Aspicilia annulata
  • Aspicilia reptans
  • Aspicilia calcarea
  • Lecanora reptans
  • Lecanora ryrkaipiae
  • Rhizoplaca (commonly called rimmed navel lichens)
• Other rimmed lichens mentioned are Contorted rimmed lichen, Calcareous rimmed lichen, White rimmed lichen, Powder-rimmed camouflage lichen, Gray-rimmed firedot lichen, Mealy-rimmed shingle lichen, and Old wood rimmed lichen.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Group: Lichen
• Family: Hymeneliaceae (for some Aspicilia species)
• Aspicilia is a genus.
• Some species of rimmed lichen are in the family Megasporaceae.

Distribution and Habitat

• References are made to observations of rimmed lichens in Ireland, California (Sagehen Creek Basin), and France.
• Calcareous rimmed lichen (Aspicilia calcarea) is found on limestone rock.
• Rimmed lichen (Asphodelus albus) can be found in d'Ossoue, Pyrenees, France, and Western France.

Morphological Characteristics

• Rimmed lichens can have a jelly-like thallus when wet, which shrinks and becomes strongly wrinkled when dry.
• Crustose lichens can have a rim surrounding their cup-shaped apothecia.
• Rhizoplaca are called rimmed navel lichens.

Ecological Role

• Rimmed lichens can grow on rocks.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Cloches are used to keep deer, rabbits, squirrels, and birds away from plants.
• Copper rimmed cloches act as barriers to keep slugs and snails away from plants.
• Lichens are usually a combination of a fungus and a green algae or a blue-green algae or a combination of all.

Quirky Facts

• The text references "Rimmed Lichen (Asphodelus albus)," which is confusing, as Asphodelus albus is a plant. This suggests either a misidentification or a lichen growing on the plant.
• The lichen trail is located in the picnic area between the Gray-rimmed Firedot Lichen.

Resources and Further Information

• MO (likely Missouri Botanical Garden)
• ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
• BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
• WikiSpecies
• Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region