Alectoria sarmentosa ssp. vexillifera #

Taxon #

Alectoria sarmentosa ssp. vexillifera

Organization #

Hair & Shrub-Like Lichens

Identification #

Alectoria sarmentosa ssp. vexillifera is a yellow to greenish yellow fruticose lichen with the largest, basal branches dichotomous. Alectoria sarmentosa ssp. vexillifera is the subspecies differing from the nominate one by its broader, more flattened branches, and terricolous nature. A. sarmentosa ssp. sarmentosa is a pendulous lichen typically found on trees and is less flattened than ssp. vexillifera (CLH, Brodo et al. 2001).

Substrate #

terricolous, among gravels and heaths in alpine or tundra (CLH)

Chemical Tests #

cortex: K-, C-, KC+ yellow, Pd-; medulla: K-, KC- or KC+ red, Pd- (CLH)

Notes #

Known of the mainland on the Alaska Peninsula. Known also of the Aleutians, and SE Alaska (CLH, SPribille et al. 2023).