Ochrolechia spp. #

Taxa #

Ochrolechia alaskana, Ochrolechia androgyna, Ochrolechia arborea, Ochrolechia bahusiensis, Ochrolechia brodoi, Ochrolechia cooperi, Ochrolechia elisabethae-kolae, Ochrolechia farinacea, Ochrolechia frigida, Ochrolechia gowardii, Ochrolechia grimmiae, Ochrolechia gyalectina, Ochrolechia inaequatula, Ochrolechia juvenalis, Ochrolechia laevigata, Ochrolechia mahluensis, Ochrolechia minuta, Ochrolechia montana, Ochrolechia oregonensis, Ochrolechia subpallescens, Ochrolechia subplicans ssp. hultenii, Ochrolechia subplicans ssp. subplicans, Ochrolechia szatalaënsis, Ochrolechia tartarea, Ochrolechia upsaliensis, Ochrolechia xanthostoma

Organization #

Ochrolechia spp., Select Crustose Lichens

Identification #

Crustose lichens common in Alaska’s many habitats. These species are relatively aggressive crusts that have light colored thalli. Many species with bright orange or pinkish apothecia. Some species with whitish apothecia such as Ochrolechia upsaliensis which is a ubiquitous species on soil, wood, and bryophytes on the tundra. Many specimens are infertile and do not produce apothecia which complicates or eliminates their identification in the field. Species such as O. inaequatula can become densely sorediate and appear entirely leprose. Another ubiquitous species found throughout the state is O. frigida, which produces some forms which are entirely made of long white cilia growing on the ground or even on tree branches. Throughout Alaska many trees can be found with sorediate species of Ochrolechia growing on them. These include species like O. androgyna and O. arborea.

Substrate #

various; terricolous, muscicolous, corticolous

Notes #

We include this page here as a jumping off point for identification in the laboratory. While some species can be learned and recognized in the field we encourage a conservative approach with this crustose genus.

Photos #