365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Placopsis Gelida
Day 261: Bullseye! It's easy to see how Placopsis gelida got its common name "Bullseye Lichen," although the cephalodium is not always as perfectly oriented as it is in this specimen. It is this nitrogen-rich feature of lichen anatomy which makes it possible for Placopsis to colonize the seemingly bare surface of recently broken rock. When wet, this lichen may exhibit a greenish-blue tint. Placopsis is a "pioneer" species, i.e., one of the first to establish itself on freshly exposed surfaces. It contributes to the breakdown of rock and in decay, supplies both the matter and nutrients in which vascular plants can establish themselves. The next time you see a rock cliff dappled with wildflowers, thank the lichens which made it possible for them to thrive.
Labels:
Bullseye Lichen,
MORA,
Placopsis gelida,
Stevens Canyon
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