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orange lichen
Scientific Name: Caloplaca rubelliana
Family: Teloschistaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Xanthoria parietina: Common Orange Lichen
Xanthoria parietina, a foliose lichen, is known by several common names, including common orange lichen, yellow scale, and maritime sunburst lichen. Its striking color makes it easily identifiable in various environments.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions the presence of pigments in lichens, including orange, red, and brown ones, which can be extracted by boiling to dye wool. While this suggests a lack of acute toxicity, the specific chemical composition of the pigments and their potential effects on animals are not detailed.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Xanthoria parietina
- Family: Teloschistaceae
- Genus: Xanthoria
- Common Names: Common orange lichen, yellow scale, maritime sunburst lichen, orange lichen, orange wall lichen, sunburst lichen
- Other mentions: Xanthoria elegans
- Related Species: Xanthoria polycarpa, Xanthoria ligulata
Distribution and Habitat
- Xanthoria parietina has a wide distribution.
- It is found on rocks, concrete, and trees, often near cattle farms due to its preference for ammonia-rich environments.
- It is also found on coastal rocks and tombstones.
Morphological Characteristics
- Xanthoria parietina is a foliose (leafy) lichen.
- It forms large, rounded patches up to 10 cm across.
- It has wide, round-lipped marginal lobes.
- The thallus (body) is yellowish-green to orange, but may appear grey in shaded areas.
- It lacks isidia or soredia.
- Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are usually present, featuring a dark orange disc surrounded by a lighter edge.
Quirky Facts
- The orange color of Xanthoria parietina is due to the production of the pigment parietin.
- The pigment parietin, found in lichens and rhubarb, is being studied for its potential as an anti-cancer drug.
- The presence of orange lichens can indicate hunting perches of birds and are often prolific in seabird colonies.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Lichens, including Xanthoria parietina, are a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga. The alga resides within the hyphae of the fungus.
Further Information
- Reference is made to "Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens by Alan Orange" as a guide to chemical use and safety when working with lichens.
- Reference is made to "Lichens on Trees. A Guide to Some of the Commonest Species. Series: British Plant Life 3. National Museum of Wales. Orange, A. 1998." for further information.