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Photo © Curtis Bjork
Powdered Camouflage Lichen (Melanelia sorediata), a Wisconsin Special Concern lichen, is found on mainly on rocks but occasionally bark and often near water.
Synonyms: Montanelia sorediata, Parmelia sorediata, Parmelia sorediata f. arenisaxicola, Parmelia sorediata f. cultoides, Parmelia sorediata f. lignicola, Parmelia sorediata f. sorediata, Parmelia sorediata var. coralloidea, Parmelia sorediata var. pulvinata, Parmelia sorediata var. sorediata, Parmelia sorediosa
Lichens represent a unique symbiotic relationship between two or sometimes three organisms: a fungus; an alga; and/or a cyanobacterium. This figure provides a good overview of a generalized lichen. The main body of the lichen is called the thallus. The thallus is the vegetative part of the lichen (i.e., not including any reproductive structures like apothecia) and is often what we visually associate with a lichen. The figure above depicts a foliose thallus with the upper surface curled up in places to reveal the lower thallus surface. The magnified thallus cross section on the right shows a number of additional layers. In this example, the top layer is the upper cortex, which is made up of fungal filaments. Underneath that is the photobiont, either an alga or a cyanobacterium or both. Beneath the photobiont is a loose layer of fungal strands (hyphae) called the medulla, and below the medulla is the lower cortex.
Lichens can reproduce sexually via spores, which are associated with the fungal component of the lichen. However, these spores must again find an appropriate photobiont before a new lichen is formed. Lichens can also reproduce asexually. The two structures shown in the box on the left function in asexual reproduction. Both isidia and soredia are essentially photobionts wrapped in a fungal skin. These can be released from the thallus to form new lichens.
Please see the glossary below for descriptions of more lichen-related terms and photos that depict these features.
The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Powdered Camouflage Lichen (Melanelia sorediata). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
| Summary Information | |
|---|---|
| State Status | SC |
| Federal Status in Wisconsin | none |
| State Rank | S1 |
| Global Rank | G5 |
| Mapped in NHI | Y |
The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which certain rare lichen species are associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.
Found on mainly on rocks but occasionally bark and often near water.
This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Powdered Camouflage Lichen. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).
| Natural communities | score |
|---|
This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Powdered Camouflage Lichen. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.
| Ecological landscape | score |
|---|
The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for lichens on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback.
These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.
Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species
Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use
Despite this picture, powdered camouflage lichen is commonly found on rocks. Regardless of the substrate, the thallus is always tightly appressed to it.
Photo © Curtis Bjork.
Support for Wisconsin's rare lichen information has been provided by the Wisconsin Rare Plant Preservation Fund. To donate, visit the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin [exit DNR].