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Coenogonium sp
This is a lichenized form of the common green alga Trentepohlia that is fairly common in upland forest in the tropics.
When the alga grows free of the fungus, it forms rather disorganized, cotton-wool-like colonies, but when lichenized, it forms these very characteristic fan-like forms. You may be able to find apothecia (like circular cream-coloured disks), on the underside which show that it is definitely a lichen. The odd thing about it is the amount of gelatin-like "goo" - it's just possible that you have some cyanobacteria or some alga growing on the lichen!
Spotted on Oct 7, 2011
Submitted on Oct 7, 2011
1 Comment
Very interesting and informative. Thanks!