Dibaeis baeomyces #

Taxon #

Dibaeis baeomyces

Organization #

Fruticose-Crustose Lichens

Identification #

A rather distinct looking lichen that is likely only to be confused for other members of its family, the Icmadophilaceae. Icmadophila ericetorum and the species of Baeomyces share similarly colored light green thalli and pinkish to fleshy-colored apothecia. I. ericetorum has a similar granular or powdery thallus but the apothecia in that species are not clearly stalked as in D. baeomyces. Some specimens of I. ericetorum can be slightly stalked but these are often much shorter and can be obscured by the mature apothecia which are more planar than globose. The species of Baeomyces can have clearly stalked apothecia but they are much less robust, more minute thalli in general. Baeomyces placophyllus, perhaps the most similar, can be quickly separated by its lobed thalli. The thalli of Dibaeis baeomyces are also more verruculose compared to the other similar species.

Substrate #

Terricolous

Chemical Tests #

thallus and podetia: K+ yellow (CLH), and (Brodo et al 2001)

Notes #

Ubiquitous but uncommon on the mainland