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Alaskan giant shield lichen

Scientific Name: Cetrelia alaskana

Family: Parmeliaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Alaskan Giant Shield Lichen

This page provides information about plants known as Alaskan Giant Shield Lichen and related species.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a lichen, and lichens can grow on various surfaces, including trees and rocks, so caution should be taken when pets are around the plant.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is a lichen, and lichens can grow on various surfaces, including trees and rocks, so caution should be taken when children are around the plant.
  • The Lime Villagers Tanaina of Alaska snack on some tree lichens, indicating that at least some lichens are edible.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Cetrelia alaskana (C. Culb. & Culb.) Culb.
  • Common Names: Alaskan giant shield lichen, giant shield lichen, speckled rag lichen, sea-storm lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Parmeliaceae
  • Synonyms: Cetraria alaskana C.F. Culb. & W.L. Culb.
  • Related Species:
    • Cetrelia cetrarioides (Delise ex Duby) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb.
    • Cetrelia chicitae (W.L. Culb.)
    • Cetrelia monachorum (Zahlbr.) Culb.

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Alaskan giant shield lichen is found in North America, covering most of inland Canada and Alaska.
  • It occurs sporadically from coastal Alaska to Oregon, mainly in coastal regions.
  • It also grows in California and Colorado.

Ecological Role

  • Lichens can form a significant part of the ground cover in certain ecosystems, such as lichen-covered tundra and the Canadian boreal forest.
  • They are a component of the lichen-caribou-Eskimo food chain.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The term "shield lichen" refers to the plate or shield-shaped appearance of the thallus (lichen body).
  • It is lichenous.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • It can grow on mosses, soil, or rarely on rock.
  • It can be found on conifer bark and wood in mature conifer forests.
  • It can also grow over green algae and leprose lichens.
  • Green Shield Lichen (Flavoparmelia) can be found growing on tree trunks.

Further Information

  • Culberson, WL/ Culberson, CF (1968) The lichen genera Cetrelia and Platismatia (Parmeliaceae).