Ok, not the LAST ravine. However, it was the last one for that outing. LOL It was another narrow one with some great finds!
Turban Lichen (Cladonia peziziformis).
A foliose Parmotrema lichen grew on top the shelf fungus and snuggled up with the moss!
The non-cilate Goldeneye Lichen (Teloschistes exilis)!
Leucodon moss with a tiny mushroom emerging!
The Dog-Lichen (Peltigera canina) was an exciting find. This is only the second location, we have found it on the grasslands. Since its partner is nostoc (instead of algae), it contributes to nitrogen to the ecosystems.
Another look! The Dog-lichen was used to treat rabies in medieval Europe. And the Nitinaht people used P.eltigera to treat a man who could not urinate. (Lichens of North America, Brodo)
Studio shot and dry. What a color difference dry vs wet, eh!
Wet! The spores are stored in the apothecia, orange-brown thingies. Some people thought it looked like dog teeth, hence the name.
The underside has pale veins and no lower cortex (skin). The rhizines (holdfasts) are the dark things and are tufted.
The spores were long and skinny. One measurement was 56.46 x 3.45 microns. The red arrows points to other long narrow spores. The other measurements in the photo are for the asci (the sac where the spores develops). The asci are tinted blue from a reaction from iodine.
So I wished this had illustrated how shiny the white bank actually was.
The crusty wall was pretty cool!
As we climbed out of the ravine, the underside of a purple Groundsel (Packera) leaf stood out! What a great adventure!
What a beautiful ravine. I would love to see it. Your pics are the next best thing. Thanks.
So glad to share with you. And I miss you being out with me too.
Your photos make me realize how varied and beautiful lichens are – like another universe.
So many kinds for sure! 🙂
Nice pictures. What are you using for a camera to get these nice close-ups?
Have really liked exploring the fungi, moss and lichens this fall.
Thank you. In the field I use the iphone 14 pro max. As you know, I love the lichens, fungi and mossess!