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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: Mesic hardwood forests, maritime forests

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Description

Pale green or gold smooth thallus with black perithecia at the center of some thalli; MICROSCOPY: spores colorless, 2-celled; FIELD ID: unmistakable, taking care to avoid confusion with free-living photobiont (see below)

Similar Species

Strigula complanata has not yet been observed in Ga., but if present, its spores are 4-celled; the parasitic alga Cephaleuros virescens (this lichen’s photobiont) is superficially similar & often lives freely on the same leaves, but it is finely branched, appears fuzzy due to reproductive structures, & never has black perithecia

Related Rare Species

None

Habitat

Mesic hardwood forests, maritime forests; substrates: Magnolia grandiflora leaves, most commonly within its native range (many ornamental M. grandiflora planted north of its range lack the lichen); 1 record on Quercus geminata leaves is suspect due to questions about photobiont specificity

Life History

Foliicolous crustose lichenized fungus, photobiont the parasitic alga Cephaleuros virescens (apparently rendered non-parasitic following lichenization by Strigula smaragdula)

Survey Recommendations

None

Range

Coastal Plain (occasionally north of Fall Line on planted trees)

Threats

Unknown

Georgia Conservation Status

Common to abundant

Conservation Management Recommendations

None

References

Brooks, F., F. Rindi, Y. Suto, S. Ohtani & M. Green. 2015. The Trentepohliales (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta): An unusual algal order and its novel plant pathogen, Cephaleuros. Plant Disease 99: 740-753.

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, C. Gries & F. Gungartz (eds.). 2002. Lichen flora of the greater Sonoran Desert region. Vol. I. Lichens Unlimited, Arizona State University, Tempe.

Authors of Account

Malcolm Hodges

Date Compiled or Updated

30 July 2022