SafePlants

Cetrariella delisei

Cetrariella is a genus of lichenized fungi belonging to the Parmeliaceae family. This content focuses primarily on Cetrariella delisei.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cetrariella delisei (Bory ex Schaerer) Karnefelt & A. Thell
• Family: Parmeliaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Ascomycota (for Cetrariella commixta)
• Class: Ascomycetes (for Cetrariella commixta)
• Order: Lecanorales (for Cetrariella commixta)
• Synonyms:
  • Cetraria delisei (Nyl.) Vain.
  • Cetraria delisea (Bory ex Schaerer) Nyl.
  • Cetraria hiascens (Fr.) Th.Fr.
  • Cetraria commixta (for the current taxon name Cetrariella commixta)
  • Cetraria fahlunensis auct. p.p. (for the current taxon name Cetrariella commixta)

Distribution and Habitat

• Cetrariella delisei is common and widespread, including in areas where it's rarely used for biomonitoring.
• It is found on mossy soil, including on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
• Dominant lichen species in deglaciated High Arctic areas of Svalbard.
• Found in Ilulissat, Greenland.

Ecological Role

• Cetrariella delisei is recognized by the Saami of Northern Scandinavia as a preferred food for free-range reindeer.
• It is used in biomonitoring of heavy metal levels (Cr, Ni, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Mn) in some environments, like Svalbard.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Cetrariella delisei is a fruticose (shrub-like) lichen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Tremella cetrariellae is a lichenicolous fungus that grows on Cetrariella delisei.

Quirky Facts

• The Saami people of Northern Scandinavia call lichens of the species Cetrariella delisei "Jaegel".

Resources and Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life: eol.org
• Index Fungorum: http://www.indexfungorum.org
• Wikimedia Commons: Contains media related to Cetrariella.