Sulcaria spiralifera

The thallus of Sulcaria spiralifera usually hangs in a more or less pendent fashion, extending from 4–12 cm (1+9⁄16–4+3⁄4 in) in length. Displaying colors ranging from pale to dark brown, the exterior cortex can either be dull or exhibit a subtle sheen, frequently appearing pruinose, or powdery, in the norstictic acid chemotype.^[4] The darkest brown coloration is typically found on thalli growing at the western edges of dune forests, where they are exposed to sand abrasion, salt spray, wind, and high light levels, suggesting this coloration may be an environmental adaptation rather than a genetic trait.^[7] It features predominantly irregular branching without any apparent primary branches, and the angles created at these junctions are usually acute. The branches themselves have diameters falling between 0.10 and 0.35 mm, with small, spine-like side branches emerging near the tips.^[4]

One of the distinguishing characteristics of this lichen is the presence of pseudocyphellae, or small pores on the surface of the thallus. These typically stand out due to their white color and can be straight or wrap around the branches in a spiral fashion. Their size ranges from 1 to 4 mm in length, they sometimes exhibit a furrowed texture, and they may be found either densely packed or sporadically. However, soralia and isidia, structures associated with vegetative reproduction, are absent in this species. The presence of apothecia and conidiomata, structures linked to sexual and asexual reproduction, respectively, have yet to be observed in this species.^[4]

Chemically, Sulcaria spiralifera presents two distinct chemotypes which are now recognized as taxonomic varieties.^[2] The first chemotype, classified as S. spiralifera var. pseudocapillaris, responds to a potassium hydroxide (K) spot test with a deep yellow color and is known to contain alectorialic acid, barbatolic acid, and an unidentified substance.^[4] The second chemotype, representing typical S. spiralifera, yields a yellow result when tested with K, which then turns red. It contains norstictic acid, connorstictic acid, and atranorin.^[4] While these chemical differences are significant for identification, the variants also show subtle morphological differences, though they are generally similar in their overall appearance and growth patterns.^[2][7]

Found along the west coast of North America, Sulcaria spiralifera is a seldom seen yet occasionally locally abundant species native to regions spanning from northern California to Washington.^[7][4] Its preferred habitats include open or shaded maritime forests, where it is found growing on lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta), Sitka spruces (Picea sitchensis), and an array of shrubs and deciduous trees.^[4] The species is most abundant in high exposure sites such as forest edges along sand dunes and large canopy gaps. In lodgepole pine stands, which have relatively open canopies, it occurs abundantly in both the understory and upper canopy. However, in Sitka spruce stands with more closed canopies, it is mostly restricted to the upper tree crowns.^[7]

The species thrives in a climate characterized by cool rainy winters and mild dry summers, where fog plays a significant role in its moisture requirements. Its distribution closely correlates with the coastal summer fog zone, occurring in areas that experience between 60 and 80 foggy days per year. On a typical foggy day in coastal northern California forests, these lichens can receive moisture equivalent to 0.3 cm of rainfall.^[7]