Melanelixia Glabratula

Day 86: Some rather interesting deconstructive typographical errors on line made it difficult for me to identify Melanelixia glabratula (formerly M. fuliginosa). This species is one of very few "camouflage" lichens present in the Pacific Northwest. Its army-fatigues colour is due to its green algal photobiont; other lichens such as the Parmelia sulcata to its left and the Usnea along the bottom of the twig depend on blue-green cyanobacteria as their photosynthetic partner. The underside of this Melanelixia is black, exhibiting simple, unforked rhizines (root-like structures). On my next exploration of Rainey Creek, I'll look for more of it. I only found it in one small area during my recent hike.