Boreal Oakmoss
(Evernia mesomorpha)
Conservation • Description • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | NNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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Boreal Oakmoss is a common and widespread shrubby lichen. It occurs across the globe in the northern latitudes (circumboreal). In the United States it is restricted to the northern tier of states. In Minnesota it is common in the northern third of the state, very common in the Arrowhead region, with only scattered occurrences south to the Metro region. It is found in . It grows on the branches of both deciduous and coniferous trees. It is relatively tolerant of pollution, which allows it to survive near urban areas. The vegetative body (thallus) is shrub-like (fruticose) and 19 ⁄16″ to 3⅛″ (4 to 8 cm) long. It consists of numerous loosely hanging branches that fork evenly (dichotomously). It looks somewhat like an antler lichen but has broader branches. The branches are 1 ⁄64″ to 1 ⁄16″ (0.5 to 1.5 mm) in diameter and soft when wet. They are pliable, not brittle, when dry. The upper and lower surfaces are green, wrinkled, and usually have abundant, coarse, reproductive granules (soredia). These soredia are the main form vegetative reproduction. Disk-shaped sexual reproductive structures (apothecia) are rarely produced. Boreal Oakmoss is not edible. Handling it may cause severe dermatitis. |
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Similar Species |
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Ecology |
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Substrate |
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Trees |
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Growth Form |
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Fruticose |
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Habitat |
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Sunny sites in forests and woodlands |
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Hosts |
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Deciduous and coniferous trees |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 5/29/2022 | ||||
Occurrence |
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Widespread and very common |
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Taxonomy |
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| Kingdom | Fungi (fungi) | ||
| Subkingdom | Dikarya | ||
| Phylum | Ascomycota (sac fungi) | ||
| Subphylum | Pezizomycotina | ||
| Class | Lecanoromycetes (common lichens) | ||
| Subclass | Lecanoromycetidae (shield lichens, sunburst lichens, rosette lichens, and allies) | ||
Order |
Lecanorales (shield lichens, rim lichens, and allies) | ||
Suborder |
Lecanorineae | ||
Family |
Parmeliaceae (shield lichens and allies) | ||
| Subfamily | Parmelioideae (typical shield lichens) | ||
Genus |
Evernia | ||
| Mycobiont | Evernia mesomorpha | ||
| Photobiont | Trebouxia jamesii (green algae) | ||
Synonyms |
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Letharia mesomorpha |
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Common Names |
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Boreal Oakmoss Boreal Oakmoss Lichen |
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Glossary
Apothecium
An open, disk-shaped or cup-shaped, reproductive structure, with spore sacs on the upper surface, that produces spores for the fungal partner of a lichen. Plural: apothecia.
Fruticose
Shrubby: referring to the growh form of lichens that may be tufted, draped, or stalked.
Soredium
An asexual reproductive structure of a lichen in the form of a tiny dull granule on the thallus surface that can be easily brushed off. It consists of a cluster of algal cells (the photobiont) wrapped in fungal filaments (the mycobiont), but without an outer layer of protective tissue (cortex). Plural: soredia.
Thallus
The vegetative body of a lichen composed of both the alga and the fungus.
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Luciearl |
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Other Videos |
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| “Mustache” growing on the trees: Shu Mao Cai (Scientific Name:Evernia mesomorpha) Dianxi Xiaoge |
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About
Jul 3, 2019 ※Click "cc" on the lower right menu to choose your subtitle language. Shu Mao Cai (Scientific Name:Evernia mesomorpha) is also called Tree Flowers. Hello, everyone! I am Dianxi Xiaoge, a Yunnan native. If you enjoy my videos, please keep subscribing to my channel. |
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| Luciearl 1/4/2020 |
Location: Cass County |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 1/17/2020
Last Updated: