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Ascomycota · Lichens

Caloplaca spp. and Xanthoria spp.

Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Teloschistales
Family
Teloschistinaceae

Caloplaca spp. and Xanthoria spp.

Orange sea side lichens

These two genera produce highly visible light yellow to yolk-yellow, or bright orange to reddish orange blotches on rocks. They form more or less circular patches, which can be powdery to granular, or slightly to distinctly lobed. Many species often produce orange, rimmed, disc-shaped persistent fruiting bodies called apothecia. Some produce granular or powdery soredia on their surface.

Habitat

The brilliant yellow-orange color of these lichens on steep, rocky supratidal cliffs along Alaska's coastline can't be missed. Similar looking species are specialists that can be abundant at sea bird rookeries. The bird guano has a high pH and provides lots of nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorous for these lichens.

North Pacific Distribution

Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Washington

Last updated December 26, 2010

Photos