SafePlants

Rimmed Lichen

The term "rimmed lichen" refers to several different species of lichens, characterized by a distinct rim or border around their thallus or fruiting bodies. This page provides information on several species referred to as "rimmed lichen."

Considerations for Pets and Children

• Some descriptions mention cloches being used to protect plants from animals like deer, rabbits, and squirrels. While these are used to protect other plants from damage by animals, it may be important to supervise children and pets around cloches to prevent injury.

Scientific Name(s) and Nomenclature

• Rimmed Lichen is a common name applied to various lichen species.
• The scientific name Aspicilia reptans is associated with Rimmed Lichen.
• Other scientific names mentioned include:
  • Lecanora reptans
  • Lecanora ryrkaipiae
• Aspicilia is a genus named by A. Massal.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Fungi (Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae)
• Family: Hymeneliaceae
• Symbol: ASPIC2
• Another lichen, listed as "Calcareous Rimmed Lichen" is Aspicilia calcarea, which is listed as a member of the family Megasporaceae.

Distribution and Habitat

• Sagehen Creek Basin, CA, is a location where calcareous rimmed lichen (Aspicilia calcarea) is found.
• Specific locations include the valley of the Dry Frio River, France, and Olonne-sur-Mer, Vendee, Pays de la Loire, France.
• Some varieties are found on limestone rock.
• Rimmed Lichen (Asphodelus albus) can be found in the Pyrenees, France.

Morphological Characteristics

• Crustose lichens can have a rim surrounding the cup-shaped apothecia.
• One lichen is described as having white-rimmed, peach-colored disks.
• Leafy lichens can have a jelly-like thallus when wet, that shrink and become strongly wrinkled.

Ecological Role

• Lichens are a symbiosis of fungi and algae.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Lichens are a combination of a fungus and a green algae or a blue-green algae or a combination of all.
• Wirework cloches are sometimes used to protect plants from deer, rabbits, squirrels, and birds.

Other Species

• Contorted rimmed lichen (Aspicilia contorta)
• Old Wood Rimmed Lichen (Lecanactis genus, including Lecanactis salicina and Lecanactis abietina)
• Quartzite Rimmed Lichen (Aspicilia quartzitica)
• Rimmed cobblestone lichen (Acarospora glaucocarpa)
• White rimmed lichen (Aspicilia albomarginata)
• Rimmed Shingle Lichen (Fuscopannaria leucosticta)
• Rimmed Wart Lichen (Pertusaria velata)
• Frosty-rimmed dot lichen (Bacidia schweinitzii)
• Gray-rimmed firedot lichen (Caloplaca cerina)

Further Information

• Mention is made of MO, ToL, BHL, and WikiSpecies as potential sources of more information.