Are these lichens?

LynM · #1 (**permalink**) 21-02-2010, 02:47 PM

In our annual village show photographic section, one of the categories this year is Lichen. I thought that it was about time I started looking for suitable things to photograph! Are the following pictures of lichen?

Sorry to appear so ignorant, but it's not something that has engaged my interest in the past!

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 21-02-2010, 03:00 PM

Yes they are all lichens + very beautiful, but I'll leave the IDs to someone more knowledgeable about them!

Good luck in the competition!

LynM · #3 (**permalink**) 21-02-2010, 03:51 PM

Thanks, Aeshna! That's all I needed to know. If I get ID, so much the better, but I don't have to provide it for the comp. It's not until the summer, but I like to give myself as much chance as possible!!!

AlanS · #4 (**permalink**) 17-04-2010, 08:33 AM

Hi Lyn,

There is a separate lichen subforum (subdivision of fungi forums) and you would have had a more rapid reply there. Lichens are NOT plants! But as I am in this forum by accident ...

Your first photograph is a very good depiction of a rare species!
It is Usnea articulata - note that some of the main stems are becoming articulated, like a string of sausages.
It is least rare in the south-west, but declining almost everywhere.

Your other three photographs are, I am fairly sure, Ramalina lacera, another species that is less uncommon in the south-west than elsewhere. (Less sure about photo number 4, but it is probably the same as the others.)

So nice photographs of interesting things, evidently in a good site - if you photograph more, please join us in the lichen subforum.

Alan