SafePlants

Lichens of California: A World of Color

California is home to a diverse array of lichens, showcasing a spectrum of colors and forms. These fascinating organisms contribute significantly to the state's ecological richness and aesthetic beauty.

Considerations for Pets

• Lichens commonly grow on rocks, tree bark, and other outdoor surfaces.

Considerations for Children

• Lichens often display bright colors (e.g., orange, red, yellow), which might attract the attention of children.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Family: Teloschistaceae (for Caloplaca californica)
• Genus: Caloplaca (mentioned as a common name for a lichen genus that is the same as its scientific name).

Distribution and Habitat

• Lichens are found widely in California, including:
  • Southern California (e.g., Santa Rosa Plateau)
  • California Channel Islands
  • Humboldt Lagoons State Park
  • Point Reyes National Seashore
  • Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (Orange County)
  • Pinnacles National Park
  • Santa Rosa Island
• They thrive in various habitats, including:
  • Rock surfaces (basalt outcrops, sandstone)
  • Tree bark (especially oaks and conifers)
  • Coastal ecosystems

Morphological Characteristics

• Lichens exhibit diverse forms:
  • Foliose (leaf-like)
  • Fruticose (shrub-like)
  • Crustose (crust-like)
• Colors range widely, including orange, red, yellow, green, gray, and brown.
• Some species, like Xanthoria elegans, display bright orange or red pigmentation.
• Others, like Caloplaca alcarum and Caloplaca celata, are specifically referred to as "Orange Lichen."
• Thallus color ranges from light to dark orange in some foliose bark lichens.

Quirky Facts

• Some lichens are described as having a "Dorito-orange" color.
• Caloplaca californica is known as the "California orange lichen."
• The "elegant sunburst lichen" (Xanthoria elegans) is noted for its fluorescent orange color, an exception among lichens.
• Lichens can thrive on nitrogen-rich bird droppings.

Ecological Role

• Lichens are a mutualistic association between fungi and algae.
• They can be sensitive to air pollution, particularly acid air pollution.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Lichens provide habitat for lichenicolous fungi.

Further Information

• California Lichen Society: Promotes the appreciation, conservation, and study of lichens.
• eFlora.bc.ca: An online resource for information on the flora of British Columbia.
• Field Guide to California Lichens by Stephen Sharnoff (Yale University Press, 2014)