SafePlants

Caloplaca luteominia var. bolanderi

Caloplaca luteominia var. bolanderi is a lichen belonging to the Teloschistaceae family. It is closely related to Caloplaca luteominia, with the primary distinction being the color. It's sometimes referred to as "Ruby Firedot Lichen".

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Caloplaca luteominia var. bolanderi (Tuck.) Arup
• Family: Teloschistaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Ascomycota
• Class: Lecanoromycetes (also mentioned as Ascomycetes)
• Order: Teloschistales
• Taxonomic Rank: Subspecies (variety)
• Synonyms:
  • Caloplaca luteominia (Tuck.) Zahlbr. var. bolanderi (Tuck.) Arup
  • Polycauliona luteominia var. bolanderi (Tuckerman) Arup, Frdn &amp Schting
  • Caloplaca ferruginea f. bolanderi (Tuck.)

Distribution and Habitat

• Primarily found in the Greater Sonoran Desert region.
• Specifically mentioned in coastal mountains near Santa Barbara, central California.
• Typically found on coastal rocks.
• Habitat includes old-growth chaparral and conglomerate outcrops.
• Often found on the north face of conglomerate cliffs in shaded aspects.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Described as a crust-like lichen, specifically an endolithic species.
• One distinguishing feature is rose-pink apothecia, which is unusual for a Caloplaca species.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Found in association with other lichens such as Acarospora thelococcoides, Caloplaca chrysophthalma, and others.
• It is crustose, often growing alongside other lichens such as Caloplaca roseii and members of the genus Pertusaria.

Resources and Further Information

• Information available at Encyclopedia of Life.
• Listed in the Catalogue of Life and Index Fungorum.
• Classification information available within iNaturalist.org and NatureWatch NZ.
• Specimens are held at Harvard University Herbaria.

Quirky Facts

• While most Caloplaca lichens don't have rose-pink apothecia, Caloplaca luteominia var. bolanderi is an exception.