A few more parmelioids (Parmelia and related genera) from my walk today.
Can you detect the yellowish tinge in this Flavoparmelia caperata (pure grey Hypotrachyna at top right for comparison).
Flavoparmelia caperata in lower half, Hypotrachyna revoluta above. Again the subtle difference in colour which can only be accurately judged when the lichens are dry (they all become greener and rather similar in colour when damp/wet).
Here we have the two British Flavoparmelia species side by side. Similar colour. F. caperata (left) tends to be more robust, soredia coarser, produced in pustular soralia. If in doubt a simple chemical test will distinguish them.
Flavoparmelia soredians (left) compared again with F. caperata (right).
Hypotrachyna revoluta (left), Flavoparmelia caperata (right), these from shade so the yellowish tinge perhaps not so distinct on the latter (and the interior greenish due to slight overgrowth of free-living algae).
Flavoparmelia caperata (left), Hypotrachyna revoluta (right) with a few tufts of Evernia prunastri between them.
Parmotrema perlatum, a big floppy-lobed thing with fine soredia on upturned edges of internal lobes. Check for cilia (eyelashes) on margins of lobes if in doubt.
Hypotrachyna revoluta (left) can appear similar to Parmotrema perlatum (right) due to both having apices of erect lobes covered in fine soredia. When getting to grips with them, a drop of bleach on the medulla can help distinguish.
Hypotrachyna afrorevoluta (left) is a relatively difficult split from H. revoluta (right) and it would be unwise to name them without closer inspection (or considerable experience).
Hypotrachyna revoluta (left) vs. H. afrorevoluta (right)
Extreme 3d effect of H. revoluta, erect lobes covered in fine soredia. However this is a mixed colony and I am suspicious of the robust lobe towards right side, might be a stray lobe of H. afrorevoluta.
When it is as frilly as this, Punctelia jeckeri is fairly distinctive, but spot tests and close attention to fine details are recommended when learning the different parmelioids.
This is a common situation, at least five parmelioid spp. growing together. Clockwise (sort of) starting from right side - H. revoluta, P. subrudecta, H. afrorevoluta, P. jeckeri, Parmelia sulcata.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Lichen mosaics seem like confusing puzzles to beginners. Once you can recognise basic growth forms such as placodioid, they can be broken down into manageable groups. This list is relevant to churchyards across much of lowland England.
Thread
A thread about the lichenicolous fungus Laetisaria lichenicola, including the surprising way it was added to the British list in 2015 and hints about identifying/recording it.
New British species aren't always discovered by the established experts.
With experience, L. lichenicola can sometimes be recorded on sight in the field but a certain amount of caution is advised.
Micarea curvata is a very inconspicuous lichen. I had the privilege of being present when the first English occurrence was found, in the company of Brian Coppins who originally described the species.
Although the 'Flora' gives the habitat of Micarea curvata, more detailed guidance would help people to locate colonies of it in lowland churchyards.
The specific epithet relates to the curved ascospores.
I have a lot of anecdotal information about various lichens, along with copious notes from my own observations. This thread is about Lecanora antiqua, described as new to science by Jack Laundon in 2010.
Ivan Pedley suspected two taxa were involved, a suggestion I still find somewhat persuasive. Jack Laundon didn't mention this possibility when he described L. antiqua.
Can anyone find L. antiqua on relatively modern stonework?
When dealing with mature specimens, Ramalina farinacea (left) can usually be readily distinguished from Evernia prunastri (right) and learning to separate them is a good exercise for beginners and improvers.
Thread.
Evernia has a slightly matt texture (perhaps like fine tissue) whereas Ramalina is more cartilaginous (as if moulded in plastic). The undersides of Evernia branches are usually starkly different (white) to the upper side. In Ramalina underside similar or only slightly paler.
The soralia of Ramalina farinacea are usually neatly oval in shape and restricted to edges of branches. The soralia of Evernia are irregular in shape and are not restricted to edges of branches.
Today's gravestone, Joseph Tomlin, d. 1855, oolitic limestone. 'Only' 18 lichens plus one LF, but something a bit different, mossy and with a taxonomic conundrum.
Thread.
Four lichens grew upon bryophytes on this stone: Agonimia, Bilimbia, Diploschistes and Lepraria lobificans. The first two in particular are usually found on moss.
The Weddellomyces was parasitic on Caloplaca flavescens.
Verrucaria macrostoma f. furfuracea is a curious looking thing, the sort of lichen that would be difficult to key out. Most people get to know it by being shown it, or recognising it from photos.