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Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: GNR

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: High-elevation rocky bald

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Description

Brown areolate crust with deep black cracks & black prothallus, areoles angular & contiguous, dotted with tiny immersed apothecia; MICROSCOPY: spores 8/ascus, colorless, simple, ellipsoid, about 7-14 x 3-6 µm; FIELD ID possible with experience, but dissection recommended

Similar Species

Willeya diffractella appears superficially similar, but it has large black perithecia protruding from thallus

Related Rare Species

None

Habitat

High-elevation rocky bald, on silicious rock

Life History

Saxicolous crustose lichenized fungus, photobiont a green chlorococcoid alga

Survey Recommendations

None

Range

Southern Blue Ridge

Threats

Unknown

Georgia Conservation Status

Rare

Conservation Management Recommendations

None

References

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.

Nash III, T. H., B. D. Ryan, P. Diederich, C. Gries & F. Gungartz (eds.). 2004. Lichen flora of the greater Sonoran Desert region. Vol. II. Lichens Unlimited, Arizona State University, Tempe.

Authors of Account

Malcolm Hodges

Date Compiled or Updated

25 July 2022