Letharia vulpina #

Taxon #

Letharia vulpina

Organization #

Hair & Shrub-Like Lichens

Identification #

This lichen is very unlikely to be confused for any other genus, the other species of which are not known of Alaska. Vibrant yellow shrub-like thalli that produce brown apothecia very rarely. Dense in isidioid soredia, sparse in true isidia (CLH).

Substrate #

Conifer bark

Chemical Tests #

Cortex and medulla: K-, C-, KC-, Pd- (CLH)

Notes #

It is possible that this species has been extirpated from Alaska (cite Sprib. Galcier Bay paper). Villumsen searched for it unsuccessfully in the Skagway area in 2023 but may have been in the wrong habitat (T. Sprib. pers. comm.).