Phlyctis argena
Species description for a lichen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phlyctis argena is a species of crustose lichen.[2]
| Phlyctis argena | |
|---|---|
| |
| on a tree in Denmark | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Gyalectales |
| Family: | Phlyctidaceae |
| Genus: | Phlyctis |
| Species: | P. argena |
| Binomial name | |
| Phlyctis argena | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
Phlyctis argena has a thin crustose thallus that is white, greyish or green-grey in colour. The identification can be confirmed with the spot test application a drop of potassium hydroxide (K-test) to the thallus, which will turn yellow and then red.
Range
The species is widespread, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Habitat
Phlyctis argena usually grows as a generalist epiphyte on the bark of deciduous trees, especially Salix cinerea and Fraxinus excelsior. It also occasionally grows on stone, such as gravestones.
Ecology
The lichen is a generalist epiphyte of deciduous trees and is acidophilic. Its abundance appears to have increased generally since the 1970s, possibly in responses to changes in air pollution levels[3]
Etymology
The etymology of the genus name, Phlyctis, comes from the obsolete medical term phlyctidium, meaning a large blister. The species epithet, argena, is derived from the latin "argentum", meaning silver.
