Montana/Wyoming Lichens
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Lichen Photos In Montana, Wyoming & Idaho

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Green map lichen (Rhizocarpon geographicum) and several other crustose genera, including Aspicilia and Dimelaena. Photographed in Grand Teton National Park.

Rhizocarpon disporum in Grand Teton National Park.

Single muriform spores of Rhizocarpon disporum.

See Muriform Spores Of Rhizocarpon disporum

Acarospora chlorophana (Pleopsidium chlorophanum) growing on red mudstone in Glacier National Park. Pleopsidium flavum is a very similar species. This metamorphic rock was formed from ancient sediments in shallow seas that occupied this region over a billion years ago. During an oxidizing enviroment in shallow water, iron in these sediments was oxidized into reddish hematite (Fe2O3).

Two colors of mudstones in Glacier National Park: Metamorphic rocks that were formed from ancient sediments in shallow seas that occupied this region over a billion years ago. During an oxidizing enviroment in which these sediments were submersed in shallow water, iron was oxidized into reddish hematite (Fe2O3). Greenish mudstones were formed in deeper water in a reducing environment where iron combined with silica compounds to form greenish chlorites. These hard, colorful rocks are exposed in alpine and subalpine strata along "Going To The Sun Road."

Map lichens (Rhizocarpon geographicum) in Grand Teton National Park.

Map lichens (Rhizocarpon geographicum) in Grand Teton National Park. Other crustose lichens on this rock include R. disporum and the genus Aspicilia.

Tentatively identified as rock tripe (Umbilicaria americana) along the rocky shore of Flathead Lake. A similar appearing umbilicate lichen is Dermatocarpon americanum. Unfortunately, the photo isn't sharp enough to clearly distinguish between these two species.

Mr. Wolffia sporting a fresh mustache and beard of hair lichen (Bryoria fuscescens). Numerous minute soralia are scattered along the branches, appearing like tiny white dots (red circles in right image). This fruticose species was collected from the limbs of a western larch (Larix occidentalis) in northern Montana. The beard actually looks better than Mr. Wolffia's own facial hair, and it is edible in an emergency.

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