Hall’s Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum hallii)

Hall’s Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum hallii)

Orthotrichum hallii is found on rock at middle to upper elevation. The leaves are acute at the apex without an awn. The leaves are erect when dry and spreading when wet. The stomata are immersed. The most striking feature though of O. hallii is the completely...
Map Lichen (Rhizocarpon spp)

Map Lichen (Rhizocarpon spp)

Rhizocarpon geographicum (the map lichen) is a species of lichen, which grows on rocks in mountainous areas of low air pollution. About 30 speices have been identified in Colorado. Each lichen is a flat patch bordered by a black line of fungal hyphae. These patches...
Dog Lichen (Peltigera-spp)

Dog Lichen (Peltigera-spp)

Peltigera is a genus of approximately 100 species of foliose lichens in the family Peltigeraceae.About 41 species have been identified in Colorado. Commonly known as the dog or pelt lichens, species of Peltigera are often terricolous (growing on soil), but can also...
Dust Lichens (Lepraria spp)

Dust Lichens (Lepraria spp)

Lepraria is a genus of leprose crustose lichens that grows on its substrate like patches of granular, caked up, mealy dust grains. Nineteen species have been collected in Colorado. Members of the genus are commonly called dust lichens.[3]: 305 [4][5] The main...
Pixi Cup Lichens (Cladonia spp)

Pixi Cup Lichens (Cladonia spp)

Cladonia is a genus of moss-like lichens in the family Cladoniaceae. There are 114 species that have been collected in Colorado. They are the primary food source for reindeer/caribou. Cladonia species are of economic importance to reindeer-herders, such as the Sami in...