Masonhalea richardsonii #

Taxon #

Masonhalea richardsonii

Organization #

Rag-Like Parmelioids

Identification #

A vagrant lichen which does not attach to substrate but blows across the landscapes like a symbiotic “tumbleweed”. Reddish brown, olive, to gold colored foliose lichen with long strap-like lobes. Most literature describe the apotheciate form as extremely rare but in remote Alaskan tundras fertile specimens are not uncommon.

Substrate #

None; unattached vagrant

Chemical Tests #

medulla: K-, C-, KC+ pink, Pd-, UV+ “blue-white” (Brodo et al. 2001)

Photos #