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orange lichen
Scientific Name: Caloplaca fraxinea
Family: Teloschistaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Xanthoria parietina: A Colorful Lichen
Xanthoria parietina, a foliose lichen, is known by several common names, including common orange lichen, yellow scale, maritime sunburst lichen, orange lichen, and orange wall lichen. This lichen is often recognized by its bright colors and is a common sight on various surfaces.
Considerations for Pets
- Grows on rocks, concrete, and trees, including near cattle farms.
Considerations for Children
- Pigments can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Xanthoria parietina
- Common Names: Common orange lichen, yellow scale, maritime sunburst lichen, orange lichen, orange wall lichen, sunburst lichen
- Family: Teloschistaceae
- Genus: Xanthoria
- The related species Xanthoria elegans is commonly known as the elegant sunburst lichen.
- Other genera of yellow or orange lichens include Caloplaca.
Distribution and Habitat
- Xanthoria parietina has a wide distribution.
- It is found on rocks, concrete, and trees.
- It is often found near cattle farms, likely due to its preference for ammonia.
- It can be found in coastal regions.
- Observed locations include the Western Isles, New Zealand (coastal rocks), and Yellowstone National Park.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is a foliose lichen, meaning it has a leafy structure.
- Forms large, rounded patches up to 10 cm across.
- Has wide, round-lipped marginal lobes.
- The thallus (body) is typically yellowish-green to golden-yellow or orange, and may appear grey in shaded areas.
- Fruiting structures (apothecia) are usually present, with a dark orange disc surrounded by a lighter edge.
Ecological Role and Interactions
- Orange lichens identify hunting perches of birds and grow prolifically in seabird colonies.
- Lichens are formed from a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga. The alga is contained within the hyphae of the fungus.
Quirky Facts
- The orange color of Xanthoria parietina is due to the production of the pigment parietin.
- The pigment parietin, found in lichens and rhubarb, may have potential as an anti-cancer drug.
- The color of lichens can vary with the amount of sun or rain; orange or yellow lichens in shade may appear green.
- The orange lichen belt may be distinguished below the White and Grey lichen zones.
- Lichens can survive harsh weather conditions that would kill a fungus or alga growing separately.
Further Information
- Katja Schulz has marked "Common orange lichen 3" as trusted on the "Xanthoria parietina" page (likely referring to a specific database or website).
- "Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens by Alan Orange" is a resource for chemical analysis.