LOBARION – big showy lichens of Acacia Valley Trails
The Acacia Valley Trails are home to a wide variety of lichens. In particular the maple swamps and swales here are perfect habitat for those lichens that belong to the Lobarion, a community of big showy swamp lichens. Here we have listed ten of the more obvious ones plus one that is harder to find and is a protected species of concern in Nova Scotia. Our swamps are actually home to two species of concern, Pectenia plumbea and Pannaria lurida.
For more information on lichens including a list of helpful books and online resources, see www.lichensns.com.
For more information on lichens including a list of helpful books and online resources, see www.lichensns.com.
Blistered jelly lichen (Leptogium corticola) has thin thin lobes that are wrinkled and blistered and a slate gray-green thallus (body) with red apothecia (like buttons).
Blue jelly skin (Leptogium cyanescens) is similar but much more common than the blistered one. It is smoother and more often has no buttons. The Blue Jelly Skin often has a grainy fuzz (called isidia) while the Blistered Jellyskin never does. |
Shaggy Fringe Lichen (Anaptychia palmulata) is found in Old Growth Forests (in this case Old Growth Swamps). The lobe tips fan out like a green lace with flat dark brown apothecia (buttons). The name Shaggy Rim makes sense when you look closely at the rims of the apothecia (buttons). The rims often have little shaggy growths on them. Magnifying glasses really help when looking at lichens!
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Mealy rimmed shingle
lichen (Pannaria conoplea) These lichens are found deep in sheltered swamps. The blue
gray steely colour stands out on brown maple bark. When you look close you’ll
see little leaf-like lobes with a grainy covering along the edges and underneath
it all, a dark dark blue furry or felty mat.
Sometimes the grainy covering takes right over and you’ll see huge swaths of the tree trunk covered in a steely gray grains. These lichens are an indicator you could be close to a Blue Felt – slow down and open your eyes wide. |
Blue Felt Lichen (has two latin names, either Pectenia plumbea or Degelia plumbea) This is
our provincial lichen. It has thick lead blue gray lobes, thick blue fungal
mat, bright red apothecia (buttons) and sometimes a bit of yellow towards the
centre. These are a protected species at risk. If you find one, please report
its exact location to your local Lands and Forestry or your municipal trail
coordinator at jriley@municipality.digby.ns.ca
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For more info on lichens, including a list of helpful books and online resources, go to www.lichensns.com. Or email your trail coordinator at jriley@municipality.digby.ns.ca