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Xanthoria elegans
Xanthoria elegans, is a lichenized species of fungus in the genus Xanthoria, family Teloschistaceae. It is recognized by its bright orange or red pigmentation. It was one of the first lichens to be used for the rock-face dating method known as lichenometry. The thallus of this lichen is described as foliose, having the aspect of leaves, although the central portions of the thallus may appear nearly crustose. It is small, typically less than 5 cm wide, with lobes less than 2 mm broad, appressed to loosely appressed. The upper surface is some shade of orange while the lower surface is white, corticate, with short, sparse hapters. The vegetative propagules called soredia and isidia are absent, although apothecia are common.
This species grows on rocks, often near bird or rodent perches. It has a circumpolar and alpine distribution. Spotted at Los Molinos, Madrid, at 1000 metres high.
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/40 sec. f/4.2 ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm.
Spotted on Mar 9, 2012
Submitted on Mar 9, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks Lars, it is its real colour, I did not process the image at all.
It was a very sun exposed place, although the day was cloudy.
This lichens use carotene crystals to filter the light and protect the algae, the same as X. parietina, and then they get more orange as they are more exposed to sun.
Awesome deep orange specimen!