This is the 15th year of continuous daily publication for 365Caws. All things considered, it's likely it will be the last year as it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to find interesting material. However, I hope that I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world with my natural history posts, or encouraged a novice weaver or needleworker. If so, I've done what I set out to do.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Peltigera Venosa, Fan Lichen
Day 248: Peltigera venosa is the smallest Pelt lichen to be found in Mount Rainier National Park. In a mature specimen, individual lobes measure only 10-15 mm. wide with brownish-red lentil-sized apothecia generally visible on the margins. Its most distinguishing feature (apart from being bright green) can be seen on the back side of the lobes; true to its Latin name, P. venosa is heavily veined. Interestingly, unlike many other Peltigeras, venosa's reproductive structures occur on the lower surface of the lobes rather than the top, and when these cephalodia (vegetative propagules) become detached, they usually drop close to the parent lichen. A young P. venosa can be seen on the righthand side of the photo. Peltigera venosa is easily the most recognizable species of Pelt in the Park.
No comments:
Post a Comment