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eggyolk lichen

Scientific Name: Candelariella plumbea

Family: Candelariaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Candelariella: The Eggyolk Lichen

Candelariella, commonly known as eggyolk lichen, goldspeck lichen, or yolk lichen, is a genus of crustose or squamulose lichens belonging to the Lecanoraceae family.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Candelariella
  • Family: Lecanoraceae and Candelariaceae
  • Rank: Genus, Species
  • Common Names: Eggyolk Lichen, Goldspeck Lichen, Yolk Lichen, Common Goldspeck Lichen
  • Synonyms: Citrina, Lutella (implied from text, though likely misused names of the plant)

Species Examples

  • Candelariella aurella (Hidden goldspeck lichen, eggyolk lichen)
  • Candelariella arctica (Arctic Eggyolk Lichen)
  • Candelariella athallina (Eggyolk Lichen)
  • Candelariella vitellina (Egg-yolk Lichen, Common Goldspeck Lichen)
  • Candelariella spraguei (Sprague's Eggyolk Lichen)
  • Candelariella subdeflexa (Eggyolk Lichen)
  • Candelariella xanthostigma ('Eggyolk Lichen')
  • Candelariella dispersa (Dispersed eggyolk lichen)
  • Candelariella deflexa (Deflexed eggyolk lichen)
  • Candelariella reflexa (Eggyolk Lichen)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Candelariella species are crustose or squamulose lichens, meaning they form a crust-like or scale-like growth on surfaces.
  • Many species exhibit a bright yellow color, resembling an egg yolk.
  • Some species, like Candelariella xanthostigma, have a thallus consisting of minute granules (up to 0.1mm).

Habitat and Distribution

  • Candelariella aurella is commonly found on calcareous (chalky or lime-rich) surfaces.
  • Candelariella vitellina is a common lichen in Michigan, growing on rock, bark, or old wood.
  • They are found in various locations including Waterloo, Molonglo Gorge and Chiricahua National Monument.

Ecological Role

  • Candelariella vitellina has a moderate pollution tolerance and indicates mediocre air quality.
  • These lichens need nitrogen to survive.

Quirky Facts

  • Some Candelariella colonies take 100 years to reach the diameter of a fried egg yolk.
  • A bone-white lichen may appear a startling egg-yolk yellow under black light.

Further Resources

  • APHOTOFUNGI - Photographic Stock Library
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • Herbarium Specimen Records