Image of Hooded Bone Lichen

Description:

Slo.: napihnjena hipogimnija - syn.: Parmelia physodes (L.) Ach., Menegazzia physodes (L.) Navs, - Habitat: mountain pasture with a standalone group of three Larix decidua trees, slightly inclined mountain slope, southeast aspect; open, sunny, relatively warm place; calcareous colluvial, skeletal ground; partly protected from direct rain precipitations by tree canopies; average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 7-9 deg C, elevations 600 m (1.970 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. Substratum: thin dry branch of Larix decidua. Comment: Hypogymnia physodes is one of the most common lichens in the region. In Trenta valley one can find it most often on branches and trunks of conifers, particularly of solitary or in small group standing Larix decidua trees. Sometimes the trees appear grayish from far because of it. It grows almost everywhere on different substrata including trees, rocks, moss, heather stems, etc.. Because it is present almost everywhere and medium sensitive for air pollution, it plays a major role in such studies. It excellently 'measures' air pollution with heavy metals. My pictures show the lichen in almost dry state, however, the Picture 2 shows the same specimen as the Picture 1, but after a rainy day. The color of the lichen changes significantly from bluish to greenish. Herbarium: Mycotheca and lichen herbarium (LJU-Li) of Slovenian Forestry Institute, Vena pot 2, Ljubljana, Index Herbariorum LJF Ref.: (1) V. Wirth, Die Flechten Baden-Wrttembergs, Teil.1., Ulmer (1995), p 428. (2) C.W.Smith, et all, The lichens of Great Britain and Ireland, The British Lichen Society, (2009), p 438. (3) F.S. Dobson, Lichens, The Richmonds Publishing Ca.LTD (2005), p 192.