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disc lichen

Scientific Name: Buellia rubifaciens

Family: Physciaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Disc Lichen (Genus Buellia)

Lichens in the genus Buellia are commonly known as disc lichens or button lichens. They are a widespread group of lichens, encompassing approximately 450 species.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some disc lichens contain necrotic thalline material.

Considerations for Children

  • Some disc lichens contain necrotic thalline material.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Buellia De Not.
  • Common Names: Disc Lichen, Button Lichen, Common Button Lichen, Black Disc Lichen, New Mexican disc lichen
  • Family: Physciaceae
  • Group: Lichen

Distribution and Habitat

  • The genus has a widespread distribution.
  • Observed on the Diamond Coast.
  • Found in Chiricahua National Monument.
  • Observed in Howard Co.
  • Rock Disk Lichen written about in New Hampshire Garden Solutions.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The "disc" refers to the apothecia, a disc or cup-shaped fruiting body involved in sexual reproduction in lichens. These apothecia produce fungal spores used in lichen identification.
  • Apothecia are variable in shape but commonly disc- or saucer-shaped.
  • Some species produce circular, yellow disk-like apothecia.
  • The disc can be black and epruinose (lacking a powdery surface).
  • Lichens in this genus are arbitrarily classified into three to seven growth forms that do not reflect, which is generally shaped like a disc, usually with a rim around the edge.

Species

  • Buellia amphidexia Imshaug ex R.C. Harris
  • Buellia capitis-regnum W.A. Weber
  • Buellia imshaugii
  • Buellia melanochroa
  • Buellia nigra (Black Disc Lichen)
  • Buellia papillata (Also known as Buelliopsis papillata)
  • Buellia stillingiana (Stilling's Disc Lichen, also known as Common Button Lichen)
  • Buellia halonia

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Used in studies to measure re-establishment rate of reindeer lichen species following conventional disc trenching and HuMinMix soil preparation in Pinus-lichen clear-cut.

Antimicrobial Activity

  • The lichen was extracted in acetone, methanol, and ethanol and tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity.
  • Some studies have found that lichen extracts have potential antifungal effects when tested using disc diffusion methods.

Further Information

  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • British Lichen Society - BLS Lichen Database