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Dotted Lichen: A Botanical Overview

This page provides information about various lichens commonly referred to as "Dotted Lichen," encompassing different species within the Bacidia genus and related taxa. Lichens, like Dotted Ramalina, are fascinating organisms playing unique ecological roles.

Scientific Name(s):

• Several Bacidia species, including:
  • Bacidia arceutina
  • Bacidia polychroa
  • Bacidia rosella
  • Bacidia jacobi
  • Bacidia rubella
  • Bacidia granosa
  • Bacidia bagliettoana
  • Bacidia brouardii
  • Bacidia circumspecta
  • Bacidia schweinitzii
  • Bacidia trachona
• Ramalina farinacea (Dotted Ramalina)

Common Name: Dotted Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Ascomycota
• Class: Lecanoromycetes
• Order: (Implied based on Bacidia schweinitzii)
• Family: Bacidiaceae
• Genus: Bacidia De Not.
• Symbol (Genus Bacidia): BACID
• Symbol (Bacidia rosella): BARO3
• Synonyms: Surprise Lichen (for Bacidia schweinitzii)

Distribution and Habitat

• Dotted Ramalina is widespread on trees due to its tolerance to acid.
• Found in the UK (approximately 1700 lichen species exist there).
• Observed on alpine granite and peat at Mount Bimberi in the Australian Capital Territory.
• Present in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Dotted Ramalina is a fruticose (shrubby) lichen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Moth larvae (bright green with large black dots) feed on lichens such as beard lichen.
• Serves as camouflage for resting moths.

Quirky Facts

• The text mentions "dotted vessels" in the context of dermoscopy of skin conditions like psoriasis and lichen planus, indicating a pattern observed under magnification, though this is not directly related to the lichen itself.
• "Dotted bar line" is a musical notation symbol, unrelated to the lichen.

Further Information

• Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
• Encyclopedia of Life
• WikiSpecies