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Lungwort Lichen

Lobariaceae family (poss Lobaria sp.)

Description:

Lobaria is a genus of lichens commonly known as "lungwort" or "lung moss" as their physical shape somewhat resembles a lung. Lobaria species are unusual in that they have a three-part symbiosis, containing a fungus, an alga and a cyanobacterium, the presence of the cyanobacterium allowing nitrogen fixation. Usually found in old growth forests. It is a foliose lichen, and its leaf-like thallus is green, leathery and lobed with a pattern of ridges and depressions on the upper surface. Bright green under moist conditions, but more bluish-green in drier conditions.

Habitat:

Along the North Branch Trail in subtropical rainforest. This area is known as the "Goomburra Section" of Main Range National Park. The park forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

Notes:

I'm fairly certain this spotting belongs to the family Lobariaceae, and possibly genus Lobaria. Listed as class Sac Fungi and family Lobariaceae, there are 30 documented species, including 8 for the genus Lobaria, that have been found in Main Range National Park - https://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetla...

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Neil Ross
Spotted by
Neil Ross

Warwick, QLD, Australia

Spotted on May 19, 2018
Submitted on May 23, 2018

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