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Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: G4G5

State Rank: SU

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:

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 0

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Mesic high-elevation forest

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Description

Tan to gray thallus conforming to shape of moss substrate, black perithecia partly exposed or obscured by thallus; MICROSCOPY: 2-4 muriform spores/ascus; FIELD ID possible given unusual substrate & with careful study of reproductive structures

Similar Species

Other lichens growing over mosses have different reproductive structures

Related Rare Species

None

Habitat

Mesic high-elevation forest, on moss over Quercus bark

Life History

Muscicolous crustose lichenized fungus, photobiont a chlorococcoid green alga

Survey Recommendations

None

Range

Southern Blue Ridge

Threats

Unknown

Georgia Conservation Status

Rare

Conservation Management Recommendations

None

References

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.

Harris, R. C. & D. Ladd. 2005. Preliminary draft: Ozark lichens. Unpublished manuscript, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY.

Authors of Account

Malcolm Hodges

Date Compiled or Updated

21 July 2022