LICHEN CHECKLIST FOR THE J.J. COLLETT NATURAL AREA

This list has been compiled by Charles Bird and Janet Marsh based on numerous visits to the area by the former and by the latter’s presence in an outing on September 26, 2010. Both took part in inventories carried out by the Alberta Bryophyte and Lichen Group (ABLIG) on May 1 and October 6, 2013.

Further research will undoubtedly lead to the discovery of additional species.

Lichens are complex life forms which are actually made up of a fungus and an alga, each being so intricately linked that the end result appears to be a plant and is referred to as a species.

Most lichen species are crustose, lacking a lower cortex and being closely attached to a substrate (Candelariella aurella and Xanthomendoza fallax appear to be crustose but they have a lower cortex and are therefore foliose); foliose, more or less thalloid and loosely attached to a substrate;  or fruticose, being branched and attached only at one basal point. Most crustose species occur on tree bark, whereas most foliose and fruticose lichens are found either of trees or on the ground.

A number of additional species were found by Kevin Timoney and Anne Robinson in 2009 when they carried out a rare plant survey along the area of the proposed expansion of the road on the eastern margin of the property. These species are indicated with a (+).

Two books are recommended for those wishing to learn more about this interesting group:  “Lichens of North America” by Irwin M Brodo, Sylvia Duran Sharnoff and Stephen Sharnoff; and “Mosses, Lichens and Ferns of Northwest North America” by Dale H. Vitt, Janet E. Marsh and Robin B. Bovey.

Though scientific names are normally used, the common names mentioned in Brodo et al. “Lichens of North America” are included.

 

CRUSTOSE

+Arthonia patellulata

Caloplaca cerina (Gray-rimmed firedot lichen)

Caloplaca holocarpa (Firedot lichen)

Candelariella aurella (Hidden goldspeck lichen)

+Candelariella vitellina (Common goldspeck lichen)

Lecanora impudens (Rim lichen)

Mycobilimbia tetramera (Four-celled Moss-dot)

 

FOLIOSE

Candelaria concolor (Candleflame or lemon lichen)

Cetraria ericetorum (Iceland lichen)

Flavopunctelia flaventior  (Speckled greenshield)

Hypogymnia physodes (Monk’s-hood lichen)

+Leptogium tenuissimum

Melanelixia albertana (Powder-rimmed camouflage lichen)

Melanelixia subaurifera (Abraded camouflage lichen)

Melanohalea exasperatula (Lustrous camouflage lichen)

Parmelia sulcata (Hammered shield lichen)

Peltigera canina (Dog lichen)

+Peltigera didactyla (Alternating dog-lichen)

+Peltigera elisabethae (Concentric pelt)

Peltigera extenuata

+Peltigera lepidophora (Scaly pelt)

Peltigera malacea (Veinless Pelt)

Peltigera neckeri  (Black saddle lichen)

Peltigera retifoveata

Peltigera rufescens (Field dog-lichen)

Phaeophyscia orbicularis (Mealy shadow lichen)

Physcia adscendens (Hooded rosette lichen)

+Physcia aipolia (Hoary rosette lichen)

Physcia stellaris (Star rosette lichen)

Physconia deters (Bottlebrush frost lichen)

Vulpicida pinastri (Powdered sunshine lichen)

Xanthomendoza fallax (Hooded sunburst lichen)

Xanthoria hasseana (Poplar sunburst lichen)

 

FRUTICOSE

Bryoria fuscescens (Pale-footed horsehair lichen)

Cladonia coniocraea (Common Powderhorn)

Cladonia fimbriata (Trumpet lichen)

Cladonia gracilis (Smooth cladonia)

Cladonia mitis (Green reindeer lichen)

Cladonia multiformis (Sieve lichen)

Cladonia phyllophora  (Felt Horn Lichen)

+Cladonia pocillum (Rosette pixie-cup)

Cladonia pyxidata (Pebbled pixie-cup)

Evernia mesomorpha (Boreal oakmoss lichen)

Ramalina pollinaria (Chalky ramalina)

Usnea lapponica (Powdered beard lichen)

Usnea scabrata (Straw beard lichen)

Usnea substerilis