Objectives:
- To collect a foliose lichen.
- To identify the foliose lichen being collected.
- To describe its habitat and characteristics.
Habitat:
This lichen was found growing on the bark of a tree near Choekortse lhakhang of Kanglung. Relatively common on deciduous and coniferous trees in open habitats, occasionally on rocks.
Description:
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Parmelia
Species: Parmelia sulcata
Lichens are classified on the basis of the nature of the fungal element and the kind of the fructification [9].
Description: Thallus is adnate, foliose, 4-20 cm in diameter, and lobate. The upper surface is gray, smooth to strongly foveolate, shiny and sometime purinose. It is also protective, gelatinized mycelial layer which is pseudoparenchymatous in structure. The lower cortex bears hyphae or root-like structure called rhizines which is attached to the substratum [8]. The rhizines function as anchorage and absorptive organs, the thallus is attached by several rhizines. They are dark or dark brown in colour [9]. It is blue-green lichen, becomes bronze-tinged as it ages. The lobe has conspicuous white pseudocyphellae which forms a fine network .
Observation:
Parmelia sulcata, or hammered shield lichen, is a silvery foliose species in the Parmeliaceae with dark, nearly black, underside possessing dense rhizines. The photobiont of this symbiont is green algae in the genus Trebouxxia (one of the most common photosynthetic partners in lichen relationships .
It is very tolerant of pollution and has a cosmopolitan distribution. Making it one of the most common lichens. It harbors a unicellular Treboxia green algal symbiont.
Future research:
This study could be an useful resource for the interested students to know about foliose lichen . Parmelia sulcata is generally believed to be fairly pollutant tolerant.
References:
- Crespo, A., Divakar & Monila, M.C. (2008). Images of British lichens. Parmella sulcata taylor.
- Sethi, I.K. & Walia, S. K. (2011). Text book if fungi and their allies. Rajiv Beri for Macmillan publishers India Ltd. p.612.
- Sinha, A.K. (2003). Botany for degree students fungi. S. Chand & Company Ltd. Ram Nagar, New Delhi-110055. p.559.
Project by: Download here!
