Common Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest

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Introduction

The Pacific Northwest is a particularly rich region for lichens. Over 580 species of macrolichens and over 1400 species of microlichens have been found. Lichens are ecologically important as food and shelter for wildlife, large and small, and native Americans. Lichens also provide a significant source of nitrogen to the old-growth coastal forests. In the arid lands, lichens are a key component of the crusts that stabilize soil and sand.

This site is an introduction to over 240 macrolichen species of this region, with over 1200 photos of these beautiful lifeforms.

How to Use This Site

This site is initially designed for those with some background in lichens. To browse, go to the Species List and hover to see a preview, click for details. Click on any photo for the full-sized version.

The interactive random-access identification key uses probabilitistic methods to calculate most likely species based on location and user selected characteristics. If you are a beginner, you will be helped tremendously if you spend some quality time studying the Characteristics before using the key.

Any feedback is much appreciated.

Alectoria imshaugii - Base
by B. McCune
1/67
Baeomyces rufus - Habit
by B. McCune
2/67
Bryoria fremontii - Field appearance
by B. McCune
3/67
Buellia muriformis - Habit
by B. McCune
4/67
Caloplaca ferrruginea - Habit
by B. McCune
5/67
Candelaria pacifica - Habit
by B. McCune
6/67
Cetraria aculeata - Habit
by B. McCune
7/67
Cetraria californica - Habit
by B. McCune
8/67
Cetraria canadensis - Habit
by R. Droker
9/67
Cetraria ericetorumSspReticulatum - Lobes
by B. McCune
10/67
Cetraria islandica - Lower
by B. McCune
11/67
Cetraria merrillii - Habit
by B. McCune
12/67
Cetrelia cetrarioides - Habit
by B. McCune
13/67
Cladonia albonigra - Habit
by B. McCune
14/67
Collema furfuraceum - Habit
by B. McCune
15/67
Dermatocarpon deminuens - Habit
by B. McCune
16/67
Enchylium tenax - Habit
by B. McCune
17/67
Ephebe lanata - Habit
by B. McCune
18/67
Erioderma sorediatum - Habit
by B. McCune
19/67
Esslingeriana idahoensis - Habit
by B. McCune
20/67
Evernia prunastri - Habit
by R. Droker
21/67
Fungi nonlichenized - Habit
by B. McCune
22/67
Fuscopannaria aurita - Habit
by B. McCune
23/67
Heterodermia leucomela - Habit
by B. McCune
24/67
Hypogymnia apinnata - Habit
by B. McCune
25/67
Hypogymnia canadensis - Habit
by B. McCune
26/67
Hypogymnia duplicata - Habit
by B. McCune
27/67
Hypogymnia vittata - Habit
by B. McCune
28/67
Hypogymnia wilfiana - Habit
by B. McCune
29/67
Hypotrachyna afrorevoluta - Habit
by B. McCune
30/67
Leioderma sorediatum - Habit
by B. McCune
31/67
Lepraria subalbicans - Habit
by B. McCune
32/67
Leptochidium albociliatum - Lobes
by B. McCune
33/67
Leptogidium contortum - Habit
by B. McCune
34/67
Leptogium pseudofurfuraceum - Habit
by B. McCune
35/67
Letharia columbiana - Habit
by B. McCune
36/67
Lobaria anomala - Habit
by B. McCune
37/67
Melanelia hepatizon - Lobes
by B. McCune
38/67
Melanelixia glabratula - Habit
by B. McCune
39/67
Melanohalea elegantula - Habit
by B. McCune
40/67
Menegazzia subsimilis - Habit
by R. Droker
41/67
Montanelia disjuncta - Habit
by R. Droker
42/67
Moss or liverwort species - Liverwort - Marchantia aquatica
by B. McCune
43/67
Neofuscelia loxodes - Habit
by B. McCune
44/67
Nephroma bellum - Lower
by B. McCune
45/67
Niebla cephalota - Habit
by B. McCune
46/67
Nodobryoria abbreviata - Habit
by B. McCune
47/67
Nostoc (cyanobacteria) species - Habit
by B. McCune
48/67
Ochrolechia subpallescens - Habit
by B. McCune
49/67
Pannaria oregonensis - Habit
by B. McCune
50/67
Parmelia hygrophila - Habit
by B. McCune
51/67
Parmeliella parvula - Habit
by B. McCune
52/67
Parmeliopsis ambigua - Lobes
by B. McCune
53/67
Parmotrema arnoldii - Habit
by B. McCune
54/67
Peltigera aphthosa - Habit
by R. Droker
55/67
Phaeophyscia decolor - Habit
by B. McCune
56/67
Physcia adscendens - Lobe tips
by B. McCune
57/67
Physconia americana - Habit
by B. McCune
58/67
Pilophorus acicularis - Habit
by R. Droker
59/67
Platismatia glauca - Habit
by B. McCune
60/67
Polychidium muscicola - habit
by B. McCune
61/67
Pseudephebe minuscula - Habit
by B. McCune
62/67
Pseudocyphellaria citrina - Field habit
by B. McCune
63/67
Punctelia jeckeri - Habit
by B. McCune
64/67
Ramalina dilacerata - Habit
by R. Droker
65/67
Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca - Habit
by B. McCune
66/67
Scytinium californicum - Habit
by B. McCune
67/67
Scytinium platynum - Habit
by B. McCune
68/67
Scytinium polycarpum - Habit
by B. McCune
69/67
Solorina crocea - Habit
by B. McCune
70/67
Sphaerophorus tuckermanii - Field habit
by B. McCune
71/67
Stereocaulon alpinum - Habit
by B. McCune
72/67
Sticta fuliginosa - Habit
by B. McCune
73/67
Teloschistes flavicans - Habit
by B. McCune
74/67
Thamnolia vermicularis - Habit
by B. McCune
75/67
Trentepohlia (alga) species - Field habit
by B. McCune
76/67
Umbilicaria americana - Habit
by B. McCune
77/67
Usnea cavernosa - Branches
by B. McCune
78/67
Xanthomendoza fallax - Habit
by B. McCune
79/67
Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa - Habit
by B. McCune
80/67
Xanthoria candelaria - Habit
by B. McCune
81/67
Scale: Bar=1mm unless noted