PLACIDIUM LACHNEUM (Ach.) Breuss

Brown Stipplescale

 

 

FAMILY: Verrucariaceae

SYNONYMS: Catapyrenium lachneum, Dermatocarpon lachneum, D. hepaticum, D. rufescens.

HABIT: Squamules 1-3 mm wide which coalesce into colonies 3-8 cm broad. Squamules dark brown with black dots (perithecia).

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other squamulose soil lichens have apothecia rather than perithecia.

TOTAL RANGE: The entire U.S. excluding the southeastern states.

STATE RANGE: Pre-1945 records from Clark and Hocking counties. Recent (1994) record from Adams County.

STATE STATUS:  1996-1997: Added, 1998 to present: Endangered.

HABITAT: Exposed soil. The Adams County population is on dolomite soil in prairie opening.

HAZARDS: Habitat destruction, shading due to canopy closure.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Collect thalli on soil, stabilize soil with diluted white glue, store in paper herbarium packets.

COMMENTS: This tiny lichen is easily overlooked and may be present at other prairie areas.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

 

Hale, M.E. 1979. How to know the lichens. Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers. Dubuque, Iowa. 246 pp.

Taylor, C.J. 1967. The lichens of Ohio. Part 1. Foliose lichens. Ohio Biological Survey Biological Notes No. 3.

 

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Created: 3/1995 Ray Showman

Database Code: SPQF.L15