Phaeophyscia kairamoi

Common name	Gritty Whiskered Shadow
Code	PHAEKAI
Field Characters	Small, narrow-lobed, foliose chlorolichen. Thalli irregular, appressed and attached throughout to slightly ascending terminally, forming patches up to 10 cm in diameter. Lobes typically 0.5-1.5 mm across. Upper cortex varies from greyish blue to dark grey to brown, with marginal granular soredia to soredio-isidia that develop hyaline “hairs,” giving thalli a shaggy look. The the lower cortex is black and typically bristling with abundant, simple, white-tipped rhizines that are visible from above. Medulla white. Apothecia relatively common, the thalline rim bristling with rhizines.
Similar species	Phaeophyscia hirsuta: often has cortical hairs on the lobe ends, but rarely on the soredia (Esslinger 2016a).
Ecology	In the southern part of its range this species is saxicolous (Esslinger 2004). In Alberta it is an occasional forest epiphyte, often co-occurring with cyanolichens in mature deciduous or mixedwood stands. Found sporadically across most regions of Alberta. Rare in urban naturalized parks and riparian areas (Haughland et al. 2022)
Chemistry	All spot tests negative (no substances detected, Esslinger 2004).
Molecular support	Molecular support: none to date, work is required, samples submitted to T. Esslinger and S. Leavitt (unpublished data).
Links	ABMI Biodiversity Browser Consortium of Lichen Herbaria Ways of Enlichenment Photo Gallery
Gallery