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Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: GU

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:

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 0

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Mesic hardwood forests, maritime forests and swamps

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Description

Cottony green or whitish-pink thallus with bright red or pink margins of variable width; purple, red or pink isidia grouped at the center of the thallus; CHEMISTRY: pigmented areas react K+ purple (chiodectonic & confluentic acids); FIELD ID: unmistakable with careful observation, taking care to eliminate congener (see Similar Species)

Similar Species

Herpothallon rubroechinatum has dull orange in place of pink & red pigments

Related Rare Species

None

Habitat

Mesic hardwood forests, maritime forests & swamps; mostly on hardwood bark: 24% Quercus, 18% Nyssa, 9% Acer, 9% Magnolia; 1 record each on Pinus glabra, silicious rock & calcareous rock

Life History

Corticolous crustose lichenized fungus, photobiont an alga in genus Trentepohlia

Survey Recommendations

None

Range

Coastal Plain

Threats

Unknown

Georgia Conservation Status

Common in southernmost & coastal counties, rare and disjunct near Fall Line

Conservation Management Recommendations

None

References

Aptroot, A., G. Thor, R. Lücking, J. A. Elix & J. L. Chaves. 2009. The lichen genus Herpothallon reinstated. Bibliotheca Lichenologica 99: 19-66.

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.

Frisch, A., J. Rudolphi & G. Thor. 2014. Herpothallon inopinatum (Arthoniaceae), a new lichen species from Mexico. Ann. Bot. Fennici 51: 63–68.

Authors of Account

Malcolm Hodges

Date Compiled or Updated

10 March 2022