Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka

Ramalina
Lecanorales Ramalinaceae
200
Ramalina is a cosmopolitan fruticose lichen genus found in cool, wet, temperate
areas and montane rainforests in tropical and subtropical regions. Its species are
mostly epiphytes but some species occur on rocks. Most diverse in the Pacific
and the Neotropics.
Species of the genus Ramalina have been used to make dye and perfumes in
Europe and for dye and foodstuffs in India. Some species are used as nesting
material by birds, such as warblers, especially where Ramalina replaces Usnea as
the dominant epiphyte.
Ramalinaceae
The most slender to almost filamentous species of this genus have been
misidentified as Usnea in Sri Lanka. Two species have been newly recorded for Sri
Lanka by Weerakoon and Aptroot (2014).This genus is represented by pendent
or shrubby fruticose lichens with long, more or less flattened branches which
can be broad or slender. The thalli are usually rather stiff, solid throughout or
hollow close to the base, and have a yellowish green to yellowish thallus.
Apothecia lecanorine, with pale yellowish, often pruinose discs; Asci: 8-spored;
Spores: colourless, 2-celled, ellipsoid.
Chemistry Cortex PD-,K-,KC+ dark yellow, C -, medulla and Soralia with various
reactions.
Ramalina conduplicans
Description The fruticose thallus is corticolous, rarely saxicolous, 3-5-10 cm
long, erect, greenish grey to yellowish brown, and branched. The upper side is
smooth. The lower side is rugose (roughened) with raised, round, and prominent
pseudocyphellae. Soredia are absent. Medulla is solid. Apothecia are not found
in Sri Lankan specimens.
Status Very common species. New record for Sri Lanka.
SL
VC
Fr
Ramalinaceae
Habitat Mostly restricted to humid high elevation forests above 1400 m. Also
collected in low elevation in sunlit habitats.
Locations Horton Plains and Nuwara Eliya. Low elevation areas such as in
Divulapitiya-Gampaha, and Negombo.
144 Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka
Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka 145