Rhizocarpon disporum (Naeg. ex Hepp) Müll. Arg.
Single-spored map lichen, map lichen
Kingdom Fungi Mushrooms, lichens, gel fungi, yeasts, and molds; also called eukaryotes
Division Ascomycota Sac fungi
Subdivision Pezizomycotina Sac fungi with filaments
Class Lecanoromycetes “Lichenized” fungi
Order Lecanorales Mostly lichen-forming fungi
Suborder Lecanorineae Lichens
Family Rhizocarpaceae
Genus Rhizocarpon
Species disporum From the Greek dis , “two or twice,” and spora , “seed,” referring to the two-seeded fruits
About plant names...
This is one of several "map lichens," so-called because at (very) close range,
each tiny lichen is bordered by black spores that resemble borders on a map.
Identification: This is a crustose lichen, meaning that it forms
a very thin layer, in this case over rock. It is pale gray or brownish gray, looking a bit like paint that
dried too fast and cracked. If fruiting bodies (apothecia ) are present (for example, in photo 6 ), they appear as small
black dots less than a millimeter in diameter.
Online References:
Stephen Sharnoff Photography
CalPhotos
References:
Walewski, Joe, Lichens of the North Woods , Kollath+Stensaas Publishing, 2007 , p. 67
1 · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) ID is uncertain
2 · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain
Older scientific or horticultural names
Rhizocarpon montagnei Körb.
Rhizocarpon disporum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
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3 · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
4 · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
5 · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
6 · 4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie, Camden, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
7 · 9/29/2013 · North Bubble Hike, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm)
8 · 9/15/2016 · Cadillac Mountain Summit, Acadia, Bar Harbor, Maine
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