No images found for this plant ID: 564.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "564" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
cracked lichen
Scientific Name: Acarospora radicata
Family: Acarosporaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Cracked Lichen: A Closer Look
Cracked lichens, often resembling cobblestone roads or cracked paint, are a fascinating group of organisms. This article provides an overview of various aspects related to these lichens, drawing information from diverse sources.
Considerations for Children
- The appearance of cracked lichens, resembling "cracked-areolate thallus" formations, may be of interest.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Several species of lichens are referred to as "Cracked Lichen," belonging to the genus Acarospora. Examples include Acarospora hilaris, Acarospora aeruginosa, Acarospora arenosa, Acarospora schleicheri, Acarospora gallica, and Acarospora badiofusca.
- Common Name: Cracked Lichen, Cobblestone Lichen
- Family: Acarosporaceae
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota
- Class: Lecanoromycetes
- Order: Agyriales
- Synonyms: Schleicher's cracked lichen is also known as Crack Lichen, Schleicher Crack.
Distribution and Habitat
- Narcotic lichen (presumably a type of cracked lichen) is rare and grows in desolate parts of the Rockies.
- Schleicher's Cracked Lichen (Acarospora schleicheri) is found in the Rocky Mountains and Idaho.
- Acarospora nodulosa (Nodule Cracked Lichen) has been observed in Planalto das Cezaredas, Portugal.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Cracked lichens exhibit a "cracked-areolate" thallus, which is a continuous crust that cracks during growth.
- The lichen thallus starts as separate lumps that grow together to form a continuous cracked surface.
- Some cracked lichens, like Buellia subalbula, have a white, cracked thallus that appears slightly frosted.
- Cracked lichens can grow on various substrates, including rocks (granite, dolomite, sandstone cliffs), tree bark, and wood.
- Some species have angular, bright yellow aeroles with small, darker apothecia.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cracked lichens contribute to the weathering of rocks by slowly breaking them down.
- They can coexist with moss and other fungi on surfaces like tree trunks and railway sleepers.
- Tripleurospermum inodorum (Scentless mayweed) can grow on cracked lichen-covered sandstone cliffs.
Further Information
- More information can be found at plants.usda.gov and HortHub.com.
- Mushroom Observer: http://mushroomobserver.org/