SafePlants

Xylographa: A Detailed Look

Xylographa is a genus of lichenized fungi belonging to the family Agyriaceae.

Considerations for Pets

• Xylographa species are often found on wood, including driftwood. If pets ingest pieces of wood with Xylographa, there might be cause for concern.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Xylographa (Fr.) Fr.
• Family: Agyriaceae
• Rank: Genus
• Synonyms: Mentions of alternative names or combinations include:
  • Xylographa vitiligo (Ach.) J.R. Laundon
  • Xylographa parallela (Ach. : Fr.) Behlen & Desberger
  • Xylographa opegraphella Nyl. ex Rothr.
  • Xylographa spilomatica (Anzi) Th. Fr.

Common Names

• Xylographa vitiligo is also known as the White-spotted woodscript lichen.
• In the U.S., Xylographa lichens are generally referred to as "xylographa lichen."
• In French, Xylographa vitiligo is referred to as "Xylographe tache blanche".

Distribution and Habitat

• Xylographa species are abundant in boreal and temperate regions.
• They are known to occur in North America, including the Greater Sonoran Desert region.
• They have been found in Taiwan, Austria, China, and the Southern Ural Mountains.
• Some species are found on driftwood, particularly in Arctic regions.

Ecological Role

• Xylographa species are wood-inhabiting, often found on old barkless logs, poles, and walls.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Xylographa are lichenized fungi, meaning they form a symbiotic relationship with algae.
• They are often described as crustose, forming a crust-like growth on their substrate.
• Some species have elongated fruiting bodies called lirellae.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• They grow on driftwood and logs.

Further Information

• Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2001. Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora.
• Brodo, I.M. Sharnoff, S.D. and Sharnoff, S. (2001) Xylographa (p. 747) In, Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven, 795.