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Caloplaca arenaria (Pers.) Müll. Arg.

Granite firedot, sandwort orange lichen

KingdomFungiMushrooms, lichens, gel fungi, yeasts, and molds; also called eukaryotes
DivisionAscomycotaSac fungi
SubdivisionPezizomycotinaSac fungi with filaments
ClassLecanoromycetes“Lichenized” fungi
OrderLecanoralesMostly lichen-forming fungi
SuborderTeloschistineaeIncludes Caloplaca, Fulgensia, Teloschistes, Xanthoria, others
FamilyTeloschistaceaeIncludes Caloplaca, Teleschistes, Xanthoria
GenusCaloplacaColorful rock-growing lichens
SpeciesarenariaFrom the Latin arena, “sand,” referring to the sandy habitats of many species

About plant names...

Granite firedot lichen occurs worldwide.

Identification: This rock-dwelling lichen is so thin that it looks at first like rust on the rock. It appears most commonly on granite, but can appear on other non-calcareous rocks. Its fruiting structures (apothecia) are dark red and very small, less than a millimeter across, wide and flat, like irregular tiles, without the white powdery covering that occurs in some other lichens. This is the only rock-dwelling lichen with such a dark red appearance.

Online References:

Stephen Sharnoff Photography

The Mushroom Observer

The Stridvall Family Domain

CalPhotos

Wisconsin Mushrooms

Caloplaca lamprocheila (DC.) Flagey

 

Caloplaca arenaria description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Caloplaca arenaria (granite firedot, sandwort orange lichen)

4/3/2010 · Point Lookout, Lincolnville, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain