No images found for this plant ID: 710.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "710" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
Utah cracked lichen
Scientific Name: Acarospora utahensis
Family: Acarosporaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Acarospora Species: The Cracked Lichens
The genus Acarospora includes a variety of lichens commonly known as cracked lichens. Several species within this genus have been identified, each with unique characteristics and distributions.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Some lichens grow in cracks in rocks and walls, which could be accessible to pets and children exploring outdoor environments.
- The text mentions that some lichens grow on trees.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Acarospora
- Family: Not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
- Common Names: Cracked Lichen (used generically for multiple species)
Species Mentioned:
- Acarospora aeruginosa Hasse - Cracked Lichen
- Acarospora albomarginata (Herre) Salisb. - Cracked Lichen
- Acarospora arenosa Herre - Cracked Lichen
- Acarospora bullata Anzi - Cracked Lichen
- Acarospora heppii - Hepp's cracked lichen
- Acarospora schleicheri - Schleicher's Cracked Lichen
- Acarospora tucsonensis - cracked lichen
- Acarospora nodulosa var. nodulosa - nodule cracked lichen
Distribution and Habitat
- Frequently found in Utah, particularly in areas like St. George and Canyonlands National Park.
- Also found on the Colorado Plateau ecoregion.
- Grows in the open and in areas with partial shade on soils, rocks, walls, and cracks.
- Some species are found in North America, specifically Arizona and Utah, at elevations of 2250-2740 m.
Morphological Characteristics
- Thallus described as areolate-cracked in some species.
- May appear like a cobblestone road or cracked up old paint.
- Some species have large apothecia.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Lichens are a component of biological soil crusts, which also include cyanobacteria, algae, microfungi, and bryophytes.
Quirky Facts
- One reference mentions "narcotic lichen" that is rare and grows in desolate parts of the Rockies, though this is not specifically related to Acarospora.
- Lichens can enhance seed germination by infiltrating cracks and fissures in rocks.
Further Information
- PLANTS Database: A resource for standardized information about plants and lichens in the U.S.
- Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region