Gowardia nigricans #

Taxon #

Gowardia nigricans

Organization #

Hair & Shrub-Like Lichens, Fruticose Parmelioids

Identification #

Very similar to Alectoria ochroleuca but separated by the lightest colors of the thalli especially at the base where attached to the substrate. G. nigricans is light and dark gray while A. ochroleuca is yellow in the lighter portions and blue-green in darker areas. Brown apothecia growing from the branches are very rare.

Substrate #

Terricolous, sometimes ramicolous

Chemical Tests #

cortex and medulla: K+ yellow, C+ pink, KC+ red, Pd+ yellow (Brodo et al. 2001)

Notes #

A ubiquitous species in Alaska. Common in the alpine and tundras.