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disc lichen

Scientific Name: Buellia stigmatea

Family: Physciaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Disc Lichen (Genus Buellia)

Disc lichens, also known as button lichens, belong to the genus Buellia. This genus boasts a widespread distribution and includes approximately 450 species.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Buellia De Not.
  • Common Names: Disc Lichen, Button Lichen
  • Family: Physciaceae (mentioned in relation to Buellia nigra)
  • Kingdom: Fungi (inferred, as lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae)
  • Symbol: BUELL
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names: Buelliopsis (as in Buelliopsis papillata)

Distribution and Habitat

  • The genus has a widespread distribution.
  • Observed in locations such as Howard County, Diamond Coast, Chiricahua National Monument, South Glenmore Park, and the Himalayas (inferred from "Himalayan Lichen").

Considerations for Pets

  • Lichens are known to contain secondary metabolites, which may be a concern if ingested in large quantities.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Characterized by disc-shaped apothecia (fruiting bodies).
  • The thallus (main body) can have necrotic thalline material (thalline veil).
  • Apothecia are often black and epruinose (lacking a powdery surface covering).
  • Apothecia can be disc- or saucer-shaped.
  • May exhibit varying colors such as yellow, orange, brown, or bluish-ash grey.

Quirky Facts

  • The lichen *Buellia halonia* has light-colored fruiting bodies and was photographed by Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte.
  • Some disc lichens produce circular, yellow disk-like structures behind an advancing front.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Mentioned in the context of reindeer lichen re-establishment after soil preparation in Pinus-lichen clear-cut areas, indicating an interaction with pine trees.
  • Some lichens grow on live trees, such as poplar trees.

Antimicrobial Properties

  • Extracts of some disc lichens have shown potential antifungal effects in laboratory tests using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Solvents like acetone, methanol, and ethanol are used for extraction.

Specific Species Examples:

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

Further Resources

  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • LSID JSON / WMS / RDF data links
  • Botanical Society of South Africa
  • ordabok.is (Icelandic dictionary)