Sphaerophorus fragilis #

Taxon #

Sphaerophorus fragilis

Organization #

Coral Lichens

Identification #

The least branched of the coral lichens. Forming cushions of coral-like fruticose growths on rocks. Light tan, light green, gray, or drab pinks and peach colors. Apotheciate specimens are rare compared to the infertile form, however, because this ubiquitous lichen is so abundant, specimens with spherical apothecia can usually be found in sheltered areas of a given locality in a short time. S. globosus is more common on soil and among gravel and usually has a much brighter orange color when in sunny sites. S. globosus is usually more intricately branched. The much more intricately branched corticolous species S. tuckermannii is easily separated on morphology and substrate preference. S. venerabilis is similarly less branched but is found in different habitats and also grows most often on trees.

Substrate #

Saxicolous, mosses over rocks, or thin soil and humus layers over rocks.

Chemical Tests #

medulla: K- or K+ purple, C-, KC- or KC+ red, Pd- (Brodo et al. 2001)

Notes #

Sphaerophorus fragilis is ubiquitous in Alaska. It is especially common in the alpine.

Photos #