Hypotrachyna sinuosa (Sm.) Hale
Green loop
Parmeliaceae

Introduction to the Lichens

Photograph

© Jim Riley     (Photo ID #12522)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Hypotrachyna sinuosa unavailable

Species Information

General:
Common Name: The Loop Lichens. Describes the conspicuously rounded axils of the lobes.
Small to medium stratified foliose lichens, corticate above and below, sorediate (in BC), lobes loosely appressed to loosely attached, short to elongate, averaging to (0.7–) 1–5 mm wide, thin. Upper surface greenish or greyish, somewhat shiny. Lower surface black, shiny, bearing forked rhizines. Medulla white. Photobiont green.
Apothecia unknown in B.C. material.
Over bark and rock.
Notes: Hypotrachyna is primarily a tropical genus consisting of about 80 species worldwide. Twenty-three of these occur in North America, though only two species are known in B.C.
Species description:
Upper surface distinctly yellowish green; lobes mostly elongate-linear; cilia absent over margins AND
Lobes loosely appressed to semi-erect; rhizines strongly fork-branching; coastal; medulla K+ yellow becoming reddish
Reactions:
Medulla K+ yellow becoming reddish, PD+ orange.
Contents:
Salazinic and usnic acids (and norstictic and stictic acids).

SourceLichens of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration ByTrevor Goward

Habitat and Range

Habitat: Frequent over trees and shrubs in open coastal forests at lower elevations, especially in hypermaritime localities

World Distribution: tentatively circumpolar, N to AK, S to MX.

SourceLichens of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Parmelia sinuosa (Sm.) Ach.