Nephroma arcticum #

Taxon #

Nephroma arcticum

Organization #

Kidney Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

A pale to light yellowish green foliose lichen. This species is unlikely to be confused with any other members of the Nephroma genus as it has lobes which become larger and often weakly erect. Most other species of Nephroma are not seen ground on the ground but on trees and rocks. This species frequently produces large, bright orange apothecia but lacks soredia and isidia. The apothecia appear to be more common in forest populations and may be largely absent when the species is found on open tundras. The light gray spots on the upper surface are the cyanobacteria-containing cephalodia. The green cephalodiate species of Peltigera may appear somewhat similar but those species have veins on the lower surfaces of the lobes, cephalodia which are easier to detach, and produce mature apothecia which are smaller.

Substrate #

Terricolous, bryocolous, corticolous

Chemical Tests #

cortex: KC+ “gold”; medulla: K- or K+ yellow, C- or C+ yellow, KC- (Brodo et al. 2001)

Notes #

A ubiquitous species found throughout Alaska.

Photos #