Xanthomendoza fallax (Hooded Sunburst lichen) is a small yellow-orange to red-orange foliose (leaf-like) lichen that grows on bark, rarely on rock, all over the world except very dry areas. Another excellent city-dweller, Hooded Sunburst is found coating the trunks of various tree species in urban parks and boulevards. Look closely to see the crescent shaped openings that disperse grains of fungi and algae, ready to colonize new habitats.
Physcia Stellaris (Grey Star Lichen) is a tree-dwelling species, common in central and southern Alberta. The specific name stellaris is from the Latin stella ’star’ refering to the general roundish body shape. Physcia stellaris does well in human-altered environments and can be found on deciduous trees throughout Edmonton.
Physcia adscendens (Hooded Rosette) is a tiny but common lichen throughout Alberta. It can adapt its body to different environments, growing short and squat in stressful situations and long and leggy in optimal conditions. Look at the lobe tips to see the little hoods full of powdery propagules for dispersal, and along the lobe edges to see the waving cilia. It’s as if Hooded Rosette is reaching out, just waiting to be noticed.
Sample photos and sketches of my process on the project.
Sample specimens from the Edmonton River Valley and the Royal Alberta Museum.
Usnea (Old Man’s Beard) is a genus of mostly pale grayish green hair-like lichens that grow like leafless mini shrubs or tassels anchored on bark or twigs. Usnea is thought to be the inspiration behind the tinsel often draped on Christmas trees. Diverse yet sensitive, the genus is in the family Parmeliaceae. It grows all over the world. Urban environments are stressful for Usnea, so while it does grow in our city, this species grows much more luxuriously in the forests to the north and west of Edmonton.
Cladonia are club, shrub and wand-like lichens belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. Over 70 species of Cladonia are found in Alberta, including the Giraffe Lichen (Cladonia gracilis ssp. turbinata), Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia mitis), and Wooden Soldiers (Cladonia botrytes) depicted here. Look on well-rotted fallen trees and old stumps for the best view into Cladonia diversity.
The pencil drawing depicts reindeer lichen, the painting on wood depicts wooden soldiers.
A feature explaining the entire lichen project. Written by Rachel Beyer, and photographed by Darren Jacknisky. See the feature by visiting the Hustle website.
Vulpicida pinastri (Powdered Sunshine) is a showy forest species with pale to yellow leafy lobes, forming bright rosettes. The lobes are rounded, overlapping, with ruffled or divided margins, dissolving into fine powdery masses of greenish-yellow or bright lemon-yellow powdery propagules. Help this sunny lichen get around by gently running your finger over it and then touching nearby trees and logs, transferring the yellow powder that is little packages of lichens-to-be to a new niche.
Cladonia coniocraea (Common Powderhorn) is grey-green, slender, wand-like lichen. Run your finger along the stalk and then look at your finger to see the powdery propagules produced along its length. Widespread and often very common on mossy trunks and rotting stumps and logs\, this minty-green lichen starts life as a small leaf-like squamule – when it gets enough energy, it sends up the powdery stalk.
I have created stationary and textiles based of the lichen project. You can find my shop here.
Peltigera is a genus of approximately 91 species of leaf-like lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. Named for their resemblance to various animal pelts, Peltigera grow on soil, the bases of trees and rotting wood throughout Edmonton’s river valley. Edmonton is home to many species of Peltigera, but Peltigera elisabethae (Concentric Pelt) is one of the most common. You can recognize Concentric Pelt by its grey, smooth, shiny lobes, and the ruffle-like mini-lobes it produces along its lobe edges.
A gallery exhibition focusing on MacEwan Alumni, FPO featured the process and development of work of one species of lichen (Old Mans Beard) Mitchell Art Gallery. Photos by Mat Simpson and Blaine Campbell.
Parmelia Sulcata (Hammered Shield) is a blue-grey leaf-like lichen that inhabits urban, rural and remote environments alike. Found mostly on wood throughout Alberta, this adaptable species deals with stress by producing chemicals that act as sunscreen to regulate harmful rays or deterrents to insects looking for a snack. Often mistaken for Hooded Tube, Hammered Shield produces abundant black, bottle-brush-like structures on its lower surface. Named for the depressions that resemble hammered metal, if you only learn one Alberta lichen this is a good choice – you will be able to impress your friends with your botanical knowledge no matter where you travel.
Hypogymnia physodes (Hooded Tube) is a lovely hollow lichen, named in part for its naked lower surface. Where other leaf-like lichens produce root-like structures below, Hooded tube is smooth and black.. Like Hooded Rosette, Hooded Tube gets around by producing powdery propagules in inflated hoods at the tips of its lobes, but you’ll have to crane your neck to see inside. . It’s worth it – Hooded tube is a lovely part of Edmonton’s river valley flora, found on rotted wood and trees throughout the city.
