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spilonema lichen

Scientific Name: Spilonema

Family: Coccocarpiaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Spilonema: A Filamentous Lichen

Spilonema is a genus of lichenized fungi, primarily known for its unique characteristics and ecological associations.

Considerations for Pets

  • While this content does not mention the toxicity of Spilonema, it is a lichen, which grows on rocks and in soil. If this species is brought into a household setting, normal hygienic practices should be considered.

Scientific Classification

  • Genus: Spilonema
  • Family: Coccocarpiaceae
  • Order: Peltigerales
  • Kingdom: Fungi (as it is a lichenized genus of fungi)

Synonyms

  • Spilonema pannosum Hy
  • Spilonema tenellum Vain.

Common Names

  • Rock Hairball Lichen (for Spilonema revertens)
  • Black Hairball Lichen (for Spilonema revertens, identification not yet confirmed)
  • Paradox Spilonema Lichen (for Spilonema paradoxum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Spilonema species have been found in diverse locations, including:
    • China (Yunnan)
    • Ecuador (Galapagos)
    • Banff National Park, Alberta (Canada)
    • Southern Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)
    • Clearwater Valley, BC (Canada)
  • Spilonema revertens is a widespread lichen, often found on sun-exposed, inclined to vertical seepage tracks of basic rocks.
  • It can grow on limestone and cliffs of pillow basalt.

Ecological Role

  • Spilonema dendroides is one of the few lichens known to associate with the cyanobacterial genus Hyphomorpha.
  • Psorula rufonigra and Spilonema revertens are intimately linked lichen taxa, with P. rufonigra sometimes found growing on Spilonema revertens.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Spilonema is a filamentous cyanolichen genus.
  • It grows in scattered or continuous patches on rock faces.

Quirky Facts

  • Spilonema is the only genus of Peltigerales to include species that are lichenized.

Further Information

  • Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora (Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., eds., 2001)
  • British Lichen Society
  • Mushroom Observer (mushroomobserver.org/observer/observations_by_user/2886)
  • ABRS (Checklist of the Lichens of Australia and its Island Territories - Classification published by ABRS)