Rhizoplaca melanophthalma s.l. (DC.) Leuckert & Poelt, 1976
| Common name | Green Rock-posy |
|---|---|
| Code |
RHIZMEL |
| Field Characters | Leaf-like, pale chlorolichen. Thalli to 2.5 cm across, typically multilobed and appearing squamulose, the umbilicus broad and indistinct. Different subspecies or molecular species vary in habit, from vagrant to almost crustose. Upper cortex pale yellow, slightly shiny. Lower cortex present, smooth, black especially at the margins. Lacking rhizines. Vegetative propagules absent, apothecia common. Apothecia may be laminal or marginal, with tan to blackish-green disc that may lack pruina or be heavily pruinose, initially immersed in the thallus and becoming short-stipitate with age. |
| Similar species & genera |
Some species of Lecanora are similiar, but they lack an umbilicus or a lower cortex, and have adnate apothecia. |
| Ecology | Saxicolous, commonly on siliceous rock but occasionally on sandstone, or nutrient-enriched rock. Common in the grasslands and mountains, rare in the parkland and shield regions of Alberta. |
| Chemistry | Cortices C–, K–, KC+ yellow, PD– (usnic acid), Medullary chemistry variable, in Alberta most commonly with psoromic acid (C–, K–, KC-, PD+ deep yellow). |
| Molecular support |
No Alberta sequences generated. Until we have sequenced local material, these species concepts are adopted in the broad sense. |
| Links | |
| Gallery |
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- R. melanophthalma, Mattheis Ranch, AB
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- R. melanophthalma, Mattheis Ranch, AB
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- R. melanophthalma, Mattheis Ranch, AB
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- R. melanophthalma, Mattheis Ranch, AB
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- Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca & R. melanophthalma, Donalda coulee, AB
