Sunburst Lichens
(Xanthoria spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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Xanthoria is a very common and very widespread genus of lichenized fungi known as Sunburst Lichens, Orange Lichens, or Orange Wall Lichens. In 1997 there were 15 recognized Xanthoria species. In 2013 some of those species were transferred to the genera Xanthomendoza or Rusavskia. The transfer is relatively recent and is not (yet) universally recognized. Most Xanthoria species grow on trees, but at least one very common species, Xanthoria elegans, grows on rock. Those that grow on trees get all of their nutrients from the air. |
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Description |
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Xanthoria lichens are composed of small, often overlapping scales called squamules. The reproductive structures (apothecia) are raised and plate-like. All Xanthoria lichens contain parietin, an orangish-yellow pigment that absorbs blue light, protects the lichen from damage by UV-B light, and is the source of the common name of the genus. The pigment often darkens when in direct sunlight and lightens when in shadow. |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 7/19/2022 | ||||
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 |
Teloschistales (sunburst lichens and allies) | ||
Suborder |
Teloschistineae | ||
Family |
Teloschistaceae (sunburst lichens, firedots, and allies) | ||
| Subfamily | Xanthorioideae | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Common Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) Elegant Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria elegans = Rusavskia elegans) Powdery Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria ulophyllodes = Xanthomendoza ulophyllodes) Seaside Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria aureola) Sugared Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria sorediata) |
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Several Xanthoria species were transferred in 2013 to Xanthomendoza or Rusavskia. The transer is relatively recent and is not (yet) universally recognized. |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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Orange Lichens Orange Wall Lichens Sunburst Lichens |
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Visitor Photos |
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Luciearl |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this fungus. |
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| Luciearl January 2024 |
Location: Cass County |
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| Luciearl 10/9/2018 |
Location: Cass County It was drizzly day which makes the lichens and moss colors stand out. |
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| Luciearl 9/26/2018 |
Location: Cass County |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 10/6/2018
Last Updated: