Imshaugia
Imshaugia F. Meyer, 1985
| Common name | Starburst Lichens |
|---|---|
| Field Characters | Small, leafy lichens. Thalli typically appressed to loosely appressed, with lobes 1-2 mm wide. Upper cortex white to browned, with a crepe-like texture and slightly shiny sheen. Lower cortex typically pale to tan brown, with short, simple rhizines. Either isidiate or apotheciate. Apothecia with lumpy margins and brown disks. Pycnidia common, black, barrel shaped, located along the margins or on the surface (laminally). |
| Similar genera |
Parmeliopsis: with laminal, circular soralia, never PD+ deep yellow, K+ deep yellow (either atranorin or usnic acid).
Physcia: typically maculate, lower cortex white or pale, apothecia when present with a black disc, pycnidia when present are immersed, not promimant. |
| Ecology | Epiphytic, on conifer branches and downed wood. Most common in eastern forested region of Alberta, in open well-lit woodlands including both dry (jack pine) and wet (black spruce) sites. |
| Chemistry | Cortex PD+ deep yellow to orange, K+ deep yellow, KC-, C- (thamnolic acid). |
| Molecular support |
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| Links |
Species recorded in Alberta: 2
- I. aleurites (Ach.) S. F. Meyer Syn.: Parmeliopsis aleurites
- I. placorodia (Ach.) S. F. Meyer Syn.: Parmeliopsis placorodia
DICHOTOMOUS KEY
1a. Isidiate; apothecia rare; pycnidia typically immersed in thallus…… I. aleurites
1b. Apotheciate; lacking vegetative propagules; pycnidia typically superficial and obvious…… I. placorodia
RENR Students: Know Imshaugia aleurites– be able to key this species out or recognize it (it is also covered in Brodo et al. 2001 and Goward et al. 1994, but note that Goward does not include I. placorodia).
Resources
Brodo, I. M. 2016. Keys to the lichens of North America. Revised and Expanded. Yale University Press, in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven and London.
Goward, T., B. McCune, and D. Meidinger. 1994. The Lichens of British Columbia Illustrated Keys. Part 1 – Foliose and Squamulose Species. Ministry of Forests Research Program, Province of British Columbia.
