Hypogymnia lichen

Hypogymnia sp.

Description:

Gray foliose lichen outlined in black.

Habitat:

Grows on a twig in a forest clearing, footsteps from Kenai Lake, Alaska. Elevation > 3000'.

Notes:

A lichen comprises a mutualistic or, more specifically, symbiotic, relationship between organisms i.e., "...algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species." (Wikipedia) In southern Alaska alone, there are 13 different species of Hypogymnia. Possible species: H. appinata (most likely), H. occidentalis or H. wilfiana (least likely).

Species ID Suggestions

3 Comments

Tukup 5 years ago

Hi Mauna. I ran across one that was similar called "Foam Lichen" but I couldn't get a clear enough picture to know if it was the same or just similar. Good spotting. I need to develop an eye for things like that. Too many times I just pass right on by.

mauna Kunzah 5 years ago

Hi Tukup, thanks so much for the lead on the ID. It is probably the beaded tube lichen, but I can’t rule out H. occidentalis or H. wilfiana, which also occur in Alaska/Western N. America, look similar and appear to have a similar growth habitus. Great investigating; I value your help!

Tukup 5 years ago

Hi Mauna. Just doing some googling and came across this website. I imagine you already have it, but I was wondering if your spotting could be Beaded Tube lichen (Hypogymnia apinnata)? The site is specifically for the southern coast of Alaska.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC...