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earth lichen
Scientific Name: Catapyrenium plumbeum
Family: Verrucariaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Dibaeis baeomyces: Pink Earth Lichen
Dibaeis baeomyces, commonly known as pink earth lichen, is a fascinating fruticose lichen that often pioneers barren landscapes. It's worth noting some considerations before admiring this unique organism up close.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions the lichen's presence on sterile soil, road cuts, and ditches, which are areas pets might explore.
- The lichen has small, stalk-like fruiting bodies.
Considerations for Children
- The lichen is described as growing on bare ground, rocks, and trees, potentially making it accessible to children.
- The lichen's small fruiting bodies could be tempting for children to touch or pick.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Dibaeis baeomyces
- Common Name: Pink Earth Lichen
- Family: Icmadophilaceae
Distribution and Habitat
- Pink Earth Lichen is found on sterile soil, such as road cuts and ditches.
- It has been observed in locations such as the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Charles Co. and Somerset Co. Maryland, and central Pennsylvania.
Morphological Characteristics
- The lichen has a gray thallus (the main body of the lichen).
- It produces flesh-colored or pinkish-coral fruiting knobs on stalks that are approximately 0.2 inches long.
Ecological Role
- Lichens are often the first form of life to colonize new areas of rock.
- They play a role in weathering rocks, contributing to soil formation.
Quirky Facts
- Some unidentified lichen species have been traditionally called "earth flower" by the Pima and Papago people.
- Lichens can survive extreme conditions, including being frozen, thawed, vacuum-dried, and exposed to radiation.
- Lichens don't just move into Earth's early soils, they also change them.