Lichenomphalia spp. #

Taxa #

Lichenomphalia alpina, Lichenomphalia hudsoniana, Lichenomphalia umbellifera

Organization #

Mushroom-Forming Lichens

Identification #

The Lichenomphalia genus are among the few species known loosely as “basidiolichens” due to their mycobiont being a basidiomycete rather than a typical ascomycete found in the vast majority of lichen symbioses. Because of this basidiomycete member of the symbiosis, the formation of mushrooms takes the place of apothecia. Two of the species currently known of Alaska, L. alpina and L. hudsoniana, are a bright yellow color which aids in spotting the small mushrooms. L. alpina lacks a primary thallus of squamules while L. hudsoniana has abudnant squamules in the basal portions. When lacking mushrooms, L. hudsoniana may be mistaken for the squamules of a Cladonia species. Other species like L. umbellifera usually fall morphologically into the vast, colloquial, little brown mushroom bin or “LBMs”.

Substrate #

Terricolous, bryocolous, muscicolous, lignicolous

Photos #