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orange lichen
Scientific Name: Caloplaca vicaria
Family: Teloschistaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Xanthoria parietina: The Common Orange Lichen
Xanthoria parietina, a vibrant and widespread lichen, graces many environments with its colorful presence. Often referred to as the common orange lichen, it belongs to the fascinating world of lichenized fungi.
Considerations for Pets
- This lichen is frequently found growing on rocks, concrete, and trees, including those near cattle farms, suggesting a relatively common presence in outdoor environments where pets might roam.
- Lichens can grow on various surfaces, including tombstones, which might be found in areas accessible to pets.
Considerations for Children
- The bright orange color of Xanthoria parietina might attract the attention of children, potentially leading to them touching or handling the lichen.
- This lichen is frequently found growing on rocks, concrete, and trees, suggesting a relatively common presence in outdoor environments where children play.
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 species mentioned: Xanthoria elegans (elegant sunburst lichen), Xanthoria polycarpa (Pincushion Orange Lichen), Xanthoria ligulata.
- Other Lichen species mentioned: Caloplaca luteoalba (Orange-fruited elm-lichen), Candelariella vitellina (Common Goldspeck Lichen), Usnea sp., Rhizocarpon sp., Flavoparmelia caperata, Caloplaca microphyllina (Orange-Dust Firedot Lichen), Caloplaca ignea (flame lichen), Acarospora, Pleopsidium, Evernia prunastri, Parmelia sp.
Distribution and Habitat
- Xanthoria parietina has a wide distribution and is commonly found on rocks, concrete, and trees.
- It is known to grow near cattle farms and in coastal areas.
- It can be found in various locations, including the Western Isles, New Zealand (coastal rocks), Humboldt Lagoons State Park, California (rocks at the beach), and East Coast Cruises, Triabunna.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Xanthoria parietina is a foliose, or leafy, lichen.
- It forms large, rounded patches up to 10 cm across.
- It has wide, round-lipped marginal lobes.
- The thallus is yellowish green to orange, sometimes grey in shade, and lacks isidia or soredia. Apothecia are usually present.
- Color can vary depending on sun exposure and moisture, with shaded lichens appearing greener.
- Some related lichens can start as a small yellow or orange dot and gradually grow outward, leaving the center white or grey.
Quirky Facts
- The orange color of Xanthoria parietina is due to the production of the pigment parietin.
- Orange lichens can identify hunting perches of birds.
- Pigments from colorful lichens, including orange ones, can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers.
- It favors environments rich in ammonia, making it common near cattle farms.
Ecological Role
- It may inhibit the growth of new shrubs when it coats them extensively.
- Lichens, including Xanthoria parietina, are formed from a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga.
- In certain environments, an orange lichen belt may be observed below white and grey lichens.
- The lichen can survive harsh weather conditions that would kill a fungus or alga growing separately.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Xanthoria elegans is highly tolerant of seabird activity, growing in profusion in seabird areas.
Further Information
- Reference is made to "Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens" by Alan Orange as a source for chemical identification.
- Katja Schulz is cited as a trusted identifier on the "Xanthoria parietina" page, but the source of this page is not specified.