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cracked lichen

Scientific Name: Acarospora obpallens

Family: Acarosporaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Cracked Lichens (Acarospora spp.)

Cracked lichens, often resembling cobblestone roads or cracked paint, belong to the genus Acarospora. The term "cracked lichen" is a common descriptor for lichens with an areolate thallus that appears cracked during growth.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions "sheep-based drug cartel" in proximity to "narcotic lichen", but this is likely a humorous reference.

Considerations for Children

  • The "cracked" surface of the lichen may be intriguing to children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acarospora spp. (multiple species exist)
  • Common Names: Cracked lichens, Cobblestone lichens
  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Phylum: Ascomycota
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes
  • Order: Agyriales
  • Family: Acarosporaceae
  • Examples: Acarospora hilaris, Acarospora schleicheri (Schleicher's Cracked Lichen), Acarospora aeruginosa, Acarospora arenosa, Acarospora gallica, Acarospora impressula, Acarospora nodulosa, Acarospora socialis, Acarospora badiofusca

Distribution and Habitat

  • Narcotic lichen is described as rare and found in desolate parts of the Rockies.
  • Schleicher's Cracked Lichen is found in the Rocky Mountains.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Cracked lichens often exhibit a "cracked-areolate" thallus, where a continuous crust cracks during growth.
  • The lichen thallus may start as separate lumps that grow together, forming a continuous cracked surface.
  • Buellia subalbula, is a species of lichen with a distinctive white, cracked thallus.

Quirky Facts

  • One mention refers to harvesting lichen, though the context is unclear from the provided text.
  • One mention references sheep drug cartels in proximity to narcotic lichen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Lichens slowly break down rocks, contributing to weathering.
  • The text mentions lichens growing on trees and rocks.

Further Information

  • plants.usda.gov
  • HortHub.com
  • Mushroom Observer (mushroomobserver.org)
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • Gettys Images
  • Shutterstock