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Powder-Tipped Rosette

Scientific Name:

Physcia dubia

Type:

Lichen

Habitat:

Primarily found in cold temperate climates, primarily on open rock and occasionally in forested areas

Range:

Widely distributed in the Northern hemisphere

Status:

Secure (NatureServe)

This species is

NATIVE

to the Truckee Meadows.

Identification:

Powder-tipped rosettes are a type of common lichen. Lichens are complex organisms that arise from symbiotic relationships between fungi and a photosynthesizer, like algae. The genus name, Physcia, means “inflated” or “sausage-like,” which is used to describe the physical form the various species within the genus take. The powder-tipped rosette generally appears in shades of gray, with a whitish-gray upper and a distinctly darker gray on the ends of the lobes.

Fast Facts:

  • The powder-tipped rosette is commonly misidentified for a couple other lichens that all appear very similar, initially. The hooded rosette lichen, hooded tube lichen, and star rosette lichen share several features in terms of color and branching!

Sources:

Contributor(s):

Taylor Gardner (research & content)

Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)

Last Updated:

June 16, 2021 at 10:42:43 PM

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