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Project Noah Nature School
Xanthoria sp
I believe these are Xanthoria elegans, and they were everywhere, present on each and every rock in this spot. These are foliose lichens, forming bright orange patches with orange apothecia (well seen in pics N° 1, 4 & 5). Most numerous patches were small, 3 - 10 cm in diameter, but often joining together and covering entire rocks; giving the impression of orange tapestries on rocks.
Seen on bare rocks, on slopes of one of the lower peaks of Caucasus, at some 2200 - 2300 m of altitude, and in a valley, laying at some 1900m. The valley and these slopes are regularly beaten by harsh winds, and are intermittently covered by coniferous groves, thorny shrub groves, mountain grasslands and barren rocks.
The rocks in this place were really rich in lichens - I'm only attacking the collection of shots, and have already counted (but not identified) some 12 species.
Spotted on Apr 20, 2019
Submitted on May 5, 2019
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