Lichen for ID please

[Nettle Runner]

Sherwood Pines, Notts 14 February 2010



Found whilst on Fungi Foray with FungiJohn. It was the brilliant green amongst the dark leaf litter that attracted me to it. Not one I have come across before, so any guidance towards an ID would be appreciated.

Les

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by Nettle Runner

Sherwood Pines, Notts 14 February 2010

Found whilst on Fungi Foray with FungiJohn. It was the brilliant green amongst the dark leaf litter that attracted me to it. Not one I have come across before, so any guidance towards an ID would be appreciated.

Les

Hi Les,

This is actually one of the more common species, but in disguise!

It is Hypogymnia physodes, which is usually a pure grey in colour, but like many other lichens it is green when water-soaked - the algae are in a layer just under the top cortex (skin) and show through when it is wet. We can see the film of water on the twig next to the lichen thallus.

I assume that is a larch twig - very acidic - and Hypogymnia physodes is one of the most acidophilic species and so common on this host.

Alan

[Nettle Runner]

Thank you, Alan, for so much information as well as the ID.

I shall now look more closely, and with additional interest, for the grey form and anything in between, on my next visit to Sherwood Pines.

I would also like to say how much I, and I'm sure other visitors to the Lichen forum also, do so much enjoy reading the comments from you and the other regular contributors. It does stimulate an interest in Lichens.

Les

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by Nettle Runner

Thank you, Alan, for so much information as well as the ID.

I shall now look more closely, and with additional interest, for the grey form and anything in between, on my next visit to Sherwood Pines.

I would also like to say how much I, and I'm sure other visitors to the Lichen forum also, do so much enjoy reading the comments from you and the other regular contributors. It does stimulate an interest in Lichens.

Les

Very kind Les.

Just after I posted my comment, I happened to be out on the edge of a moorland area, collecting a water sample and having to break the ice to do so, and Hypogymnia physodes was frequent on the birches and sallows round about, absolutely water-soaked as the sun melted the thick frost, and still pure grey!

I think my remarks have to take in the extra factor of shade, implied in your original post. Maybe in shade, the upper cortex ("skin") is thinner, allowing the underlying algae more access to what ever sunlight exists? Or perhaps there is something else about shade that makes certain lichens more readily turn green? A parallel may be in the well-known Xanthoria parietina, usually bright orange-yellow, but partially to completely grey in shade, with this grey variant then becoming a brilliant emerald green when damp. Could be an amusing study for someone.

Or not.

Alan

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Nettle Runner

Thank you, Alan, for so much information as well as the ID.

I would also like to say how much I, and I'm sure other visitors to the Lichen forum also, do so much enjoy reading the comments from you and the other regular contributors. It does stimulate an interest in Lichens.

Les

I would echo this too Alan.

A visit to Scotland in 2008 opened my eyes to Lichen. Only yesterday I ordered - Grasses, Ferns, Mosses and Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland (Roger Phillips), a book I should have had years ago!

The interest was also stirred when I bought a copy of 'The Illustrated book of Flowerless Plants' from a second hand book shop whilst on holiday in Cornwall last year.

I'll put together a few images and upload to a new thread.

Any help Alan would be much appreciated.

John