Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka

Fo
C
Heterodermia obscurata
Heterodermia podocarpa
R
Fo
Physciaceae
Description Foliose. The thallus is mostly corticolous. The lobes are wide with
short lateral lobules. The upper surface is greyish. The lobes are sorediate at the
apices. The lower surface is yellow to orange with marginal rhizines. Apothecia
are not found in Sri Lankan material.
Status Common species.
Habitat Mostly corticolous, but also seen on wet rocky surfaces. Above 900m,
submontane to upper montane forests near stream margins.
Locations Galhiriya estate, Dehigolla watta upper division abandoned habitats,
Nawanagala in the Knuckles mountain region.
Description Foliose to subfruticose.The thallus is Irregularly lobate. Lobes are
variable in width, often ascending and with whitish cilia along the margins. The
upper surface is greyish white to grey. Soredia and isidia are absent. The lower
surface is white, both sorediate and rhizinate. Rhizines are marginal, and simply
to irregularly branched. Pruinose apothecia are abundant and appear terminally
with well-developed squamules on the margin and a pale greyish white to dark
grey disc.
Status Widespread in specific areas but not a common species. This species is
easily identified by the greyish apothecia and marginal rhizines.
Habitat Found growing on twigs and on small branches in both moist and
open, sunny conditions. Also found on dry rocks exposed to the sun.
Physciaceae
Locations Nawalapitiya and Laxapana areas.
90 Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka
Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka 91