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General:
Common Name: The Rockbright Lichens. Describes the habitat and brightly coloured upper surface of the species.
Small stratified foliose lichens (ours), umbilicate, rotund, corticate above and below, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, lobes poorly developed, entire thallus averaging to 1–2 cm across, thin to thick. Upper surface whitish or pale greenish. Lower surface pale, brownish or blue-black, lacking rhizines. Medulla white. Photobiont green.
Apothecia located over upper surface, usually numerous, disc even, pinkish or brownish to greenish or blackish; spores simple, ellipsoid, colourless, 8 per ascus.
Over acid or base-rich rock.
Notes: Rhizoplaca is primarily a genus of temperate latitudes where it is best represented in semi-arid regions. Of the six species reported for North America, only three occur in B.C.
Species description:
Lower surface cracked, cracks generally assuming distinct netlike pattern (check larger thalli); apothecial margins lacking white pruina, discs greenish or more often brownish; medulla PD+ orange (rarely PD+ yellow)
Reactions:
Medulla PD+ orange (rarely PD+ yellow or PD-).
Contents:
Pannarin, usnic acid, zeorin (and psoromic acid).
Source: Lichens of British Columbia |
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