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Caloplaca ignea: The Flame Firedot Lichen

Caloplaca ignea, commonly known as the flame firedot lichen or simply flame lichen, is a vibrant red-orange crustose areolate lichen that adds a splash of color to its rocky habitats.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Caloplaca ignea Arup
• Family: Teloschistaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi (as lichen is a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi)
• Synonyms:
  • Polycauliona ignea
  • Caloplaca anularis f. ignea (Poelt & Hinteregger) Vondrk & Mayrhofer comb. nov.

Distribution and Habitat

• Caloplaca ignea is primarily found in the southwestern United States, including California (e.g., Santa Catalina Island, Coast Range) and Baja California.
• It grows on rocks, including granite and tombstone slate, and even small pebbles along the coast.

Morphological Characteristics

• This lichen exhibits a crustose areolate morphology, meaning it forms a crust-like covering composed of small, island-like areas (areoles).
• It features narrow to linear lobes radiating from its center.
• The vibrant red-orange color is a key identifying characteristic.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Caloplaca ignea is often found growing alongside other lichens, such as species of Acarospora (cobblestone lichen or cracked lichen) and Pleopsidium.
• The text mentions the algae living within the internal region of the lichen, as part of the symbiotic relationship that defines a lichen.

Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life
• MyCoPortal
• MycoBank
• T. L. Esslinger Herbarium
• Discover Life
• California Lichen Society: http://californialichens.org/membership/