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Caloplaca inconspecta
Scientific Name: Caloplaca inconspecta
Family: Teloschistaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Caloplaca inconspecta: The Seaside Firedot Lichen
Caloplaca inconspecta, commonly known as the Seaside Firedot Lichen, is a fascinating species found in specific coastal environments. This lichen belongs to the family Teloschistaceae and presents unique characteristics within its habitat.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Caloplaca inconspecta Arup
- Synonym: Polycauliona inconspecta (Arup) Arup, Frdn & Schting
- Family: Teloschistaceae
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota
- Class: Lecanoromycetes
- Order: Teloschistales
Distribution and Habitat
- Caloplaca inconspecta is found on maritime rocks, specifically in the upper tidal zone.
- Notable locations include the San Francisco Bay area in California and Oregon.
- It is typically found in littoral and supralittoral zones on seashore rocks.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Caloplaca inconspecta is a lichenous plant, indicating a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium.
- The thallus (body) of Caloplaca species is often orange and reacts positively (K+ purple) to potassium hydroxide (K), due to the presence of parietin.
Quirky Facts
- The species was formally described by Arup in 1995 in "The Bryologist" journal.
- The holotype (original specimen) is located in LD, with the identifier Arup L89094.
Further Information
- Additional information can be found at the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL).
- The PLANTS Database provided by the USDA NRCS also contains relevant data.
- Observations and data are available through iNaturalist.org.