Lepra dactylina & Lepra subdactylina #

Taxa #

Lepra dactylina, Lepra subdactylina

Organization #

Fruticose-Crustose Lichens

Identification #

Somewhat reminiscent of Ochrolechia, and from the same order, the Pertusariales. Crustose becoming fruticose with a thallus composed of bone-white, large, roughly cylindrical, isidia. L. dactylina might be mistaken for Siphula ceratites but is not so fruticose as that species.

Substrate #

Terricolous, saxicolous (Spribille et al. 2023)

Chemical Tests:

Lepra dactylina #

cortex: K-, C-, KC-, Pd-, UV-; medulla: K+ brownish, C-, KC-, Pd+ red (Brodo et al. 2001)

Lepra subdactylina #

K+ violet, C-, Pd- (McCune & Tønsberg 2006 in CLH)

Notes #

Lepra dactylina is a ubiquitous species in Alaska. It is found on the tundras and in the alpine (CLH, Spribille et al. 2023).

Photos #