Sunday, February 21, 2016

Hypogymnia Imshaugii, Forked Tube Lichen



Day 131: The Hypogymnias are abundant in my area (even in my own yard) and more than one species frequently occurs on the same branch. Forked Tube has a couple of look-alikes, but these can be sorted out fairly easily by opening one of the "tubes" which give this family its common name. Hypogymnia imshaugii has a white medullary ceiling, clearly visible in the broken tube just left of the two apothecia on the right, less distinct in the tube in the "ten o'clock" position left of the largest apothecium. Both H. inactiva and H. heterophylla have a black/dark ceiling. H. inactiva generally shows more black as well, often extending into the upper surface from the underside of the thallus. H. heterophylla is not as regularly branched.

Needless to say, I didn't get much done in the way of yard cleanup today, what with damp weather and a whole raft of lichens brought down during the winter storms. Priorities...it's all about priorities.

No comments:

Post a Comment