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Fringed Chocolate Chip Lichen - Solorina spongiosa
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Known from a few locations in western and central portions of Montana.
General Description
Thallus squamulose, a narrow rim around the apothecia; cephalodia forming a finely dissected mass of short, narrow, somewhat erect lobes; and apothecia with 4 spores per ascus
(McCune and Geiser 2009).
Diagnostic Characteristics
Thallus is a narrow rim around the apothecia; Examine thin sections of the apothecia under the compound microscope and look for 4 spores per ascus; Cephalodia form a finely dissected mass of short, narrow, and somewhat erect lobes
(McCune and Geiser 2009).
Range Comments
Alaska to Montana and Oregon, with southern disjuncts in the mountains of Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 5
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Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
In moist moss mats on soil, adjacent to spring, seeps, waterfalls, and creeks; in alpine/subalpine zones.
Ecology
Photobiont: green algae and cyanobacteria (nitrogen-fixer).
Reproductive Characteristics
Reproduces sexually by spores from the apothecium.
Stewardship Responsibility
Threats or Limiting Factors
None identified.
References
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Fringed Chocolate Chip Lichen"