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Arthonia cinnabarina (DC.) Wallr.
Bloody Comma

Photo © Don Hunter, Banks Co., Ga., 22 Sept. 2017
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Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: G2G4

State Rank: SNR

Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: No

SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No

SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No

2025 SGCN Priority Tier: None

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 0

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Mesic hardwood forests


Description

Whitish thallus with irregular or branched lirellae tinted dull-reddish or maroon, obscured by dusty covering of cracked thallus/bark; MICROSCOPY: spores colorless, 4(-6)-celled, 1 end cell enlarged; magenta crystals at edges of ascomata [NOTE: likely more than 1 species involved, given disagreement over spore septation]; FIELD ID: reddish lirellae rounded to elongate, dusted with crumbled whitish material giving them a dull pinkish hue, often crowded, on a whitish thallus; dissection needed to confirm ID

Similar Species

Coniarthonia pyrrhula has bright pink lirellae; Arthonia albovirescens can also appear similar; both lack magenta crystals

Related Rare Species

None

Habitat

Mesic hardwood forests; substrates: 33% on Quercus bark, 62% other hardwoods, 1 record on Juniperus bark

Life History

Corticolous crustose lichenized fungus, photobiont an alga in Trentepohlia

Survey Recommendations

None

Range

Mostly Coastal Plain, also Piedmont; 1 record from the Ridge & Valley

Threats

Unknown

Georgia Conservation Status

Uncommon

Conservation Management Recommendations

None

References

Brodo, I. M. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn.

Brodo, I. M. 2016. Keys to lichens of North America: revised and expanded. Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn.

Esslinger, T. L. 2021. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. Version 24. Opuscula Philolichenum 20: 100-394.

Tripp, E. A. & J. C. Lendemer. 2020. Field guide to the lichens of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

Authors of Account

Malcolm Hodges

Date Compiled or Updated

27 September 2023