Day 118: The Bud Blancher Trail is proving to be a goldmine of lichen species from common to rare. Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis falls in the latter category. Listed in Canada as "vulnerable," it is found primarily in old-growth forest as its common name Old-Growth Specklebelly suggests. Its scientific nomenclature gives another hint as to where it is most likely to be observed: rainierensis. A closer look at the lower surface of the lobes will reveal tiny white speckles (pseudocyphellae) on a tomentose (velvety) base. Similar species for which it might be mistaken are Platismatia glauca (rhizines present) and Lobaria oregana (pseudocyphellae absent). Apothecia of Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis are seldom seen. While not a Life List species for me (I have witnessed it within the Park), these are my first good photos of the species.
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