No images found for this plant ID: 7480.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "7480" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
orange lichen
Scientific Name: Caloplaca flavorubescens
Family: Teloschistaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Xanthoria parietina: The Common Orange Lichen
Xanthoria parietina is a widespread foliose lichen, easily recognizable by its vibrant color and leafy appearance. It's a fascinating example of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga.
Considerations for Pets
- This lichen grows on rocks, concrete, and trees.
Considerations for Children
- This lichen grows on rocks, concrete, and trees.
- Pigments of some colorful lichens can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers.
Common Names
- Common orange lichen
- Yellow scale
- Maritime sunburst lichen
- Orange lichen
- Orange wall lichen
- Sunburst lichen
- Golden Shield Lichen
- Shore Lichen
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Xanthoria
- Family: Teloschistaceae
- Caloplaca Th. Fr. is another genus in the family Teloschistaceae.
Distribution and Habitat
- Xanthoria parietina has a wide distribution and can be found in various locations.
- It commonly grows on rocks, concrete, and trees.
- Often found near cattle farms as it favors ammonia.
- Observed in the Western Isles.
- Common in New Zealand, found on the coast.
- Grows on rocks near the summit of the Mount Washburn Trail, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
- Found on rocks at the beach by the edge of the Gyon Bluffs, near Freshwater Lagoon in Humboldt Lagoons State Park, California.
Morphological Characteristics
- Foliose (leafy) lichen.
- Forms large, rounded patches up to 10 cm across.
- Has wide, round-lipped marginal lobes.
- The thallus (body) is yellowish-green to orange, and may appear grey in shade.
- Lacks isidia or soredia.
- Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are usually present, with a dark orange disc surrounded by a lighter edge.
- Some start as a small yellow or orange dot and gradually grows out from the centre getting bigger and bigger leaving the centre to go white grey
Quirky Facts
- The orange color of this lichen is due to the production of the pigment parietin.
- The intensity of the color can vary with the amount of sun or rain; lichens growing in shade may appear green.
- An orange lichen belt may be distinguished below White and Grey lichens.
- Orange lichens also identify hunting perches of birds and grow in profusion in seabird.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Lichens are formed from the symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga.
Ecological Role
- Elegant sunburst lichen is highly tolerant.
Uses
- An orange pigment called parietin found in lichens and rhubarb may have potential as an anti-cancer drug because it interferes with the.
- Pigments of some of the more colorful lichens, especially the orange, red, and brown ones, can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers.
Further Information
- Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens by Alan Orange.