Lichen – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Pink Earth lichen – 5/6/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/24 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Pink Earth lichen Scientific Name: Dibaeis baeomyces Comments: It’s been a rainy spring, which might stimulate these colorful lichens. More Information: Naturally curious with Mary Holland

Beard lichen – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 1:27 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard) Common Name: Beard lichen Scientific Name: Usnea strigosa Comments: Also called bushy beard, this epiphytic (i.e. growing on trees) lichen is a composite organism that emerges from algae or cyanobacteria living among the filaments of the fungi in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi benefit from the […]

Reindeer Lichen – 5/18/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/18/20 Observation Time: 10:20 a.m. Observation Location: under high tension lines across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields Common Name: Reindeer lichen Scientific Name: Cladonia rangiferina Comments: Reindeer lichen is a light-colored, fruticose lichen belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. It grows in both hot and cold climates in well-drained, open environments. As the common names suggest, reindeer lichen is an important food for […]

Pink Earth Lichen – 5/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/11/20 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Pink earth lichen Scientific Name: Dibaeis baeomyces Comments: This lichen is found throughout eastern North America, from Alabama and Georgia in the south to the Arctic Circle in the north. While rare there, it does occur in both Alaska and the Northwest Territories. It prefers to grow directly on unstable soils such as […]

Old Man’s Beard Lichen – 4/16/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/20 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land at Lakeview & Morse Common Name: Old Man’s Beard lichen Scientific Name: Usnea strigosa Comments: Also called bushy beard, this epiphytic (i.e. growing on trees) lichen is a composite organism that emerges from algae or cyanobacteria living among the filaments of the fungi in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi benefit […]

Rock-shield Lichen – 4/16/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/19 Observation Time: 12:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Rock-shield Lichen Scientific Name: Xanthoparmelia sp. Comments: A lichen is a composite organism that emerges from algae or cyanobacteria living among the filaments of the fungi in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi benefit from the carbohydrates produced by the algae or cyanobacteria via photosynthesis. […]

Rock Tripe – 10/30/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/30/2018 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: Rock Tripe lichen Scientific Name: Umbilicaria mammulata Comments: This lichen is edible (after boiling several times). It is considered to be “starvation food.” There are stories of George Washington’s troops eating it when they had nothing else. I found it in a rocky cliff area. More Information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STxqLRmK03c and https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2010/04/ruminations-on-rock-tripe.html

Common Greenshield Lichen – 7/17/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/17/10 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Common Greenshield Lichen Scientific Name: Flavoparmelia caperata More Information: Wikipedia

British Soldier Lichen – 12/4/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 12/4/09 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road opposite soccer fields Common Name: British Soldier Lichen Scientific Name: Cladonia cristatella More Information: Backyard Nature: Lichen Compare the British soldier lichen to the pink earth lichen below. These photos were taken at about the same time, and in the same area.

Pink Earth lichen – 9/12/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/12/09 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Pink Earth lichen Scientific Name: Dibaeis baeomyces More Information: Naturally Curious with Mary Holland