Lichen: Ramalina cuspidata
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Name: Ramalina cuspidata (Ach.) Nyl. (1870)
Ramalina cuspidata
Pronunciation: Ramalina cuspidata
Conservation Evaluation: Least Concern
Body Type: Fruticose Common Name: Sea Ivory
Ramalina siliquosa with blackened parts on the thallus.
Description: The tufted semi-erect strap-like thallus has a shiny cream-grey to ivory colour. The main stems are close to circular in cross section; the base of the tuft is black; the openings of the pycnidia along the thallus straps are black. Parts of the strap-like thallus may also become blackened.
Pycnidia ostioles are black.
Chemical Tests: Three chemotypes are known so many combinations of the spot tests are positive: (a) K+ yellow, Pd+ yellow, UV-, (b) K+yellow-orange, Pd+ yellow orange, UV- and (c) K-, Pd- UV-.
Nature Notes: A rocky seashore (silica-rich rocks) species found either with Ramalina siliquosa or a little lower down the shore. Ramalina cuspidata is more erect than R. siliquosa and tends to occur in more sheltered areas. Absent from much of the south and south east coast.
Pycnidial ostioles are black.
Vice county distribution map: See Map
VC Map Ramalina cuspidiata
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Other species recorded in Ireland:
- Ramalina calicaris (L.) Fr.
- Ramalina canariensis J.Steiner
- Ramalina chondrina J.Steiner
- Ramalina fastigiata (Pers.) Ach.
- Ramalina fraxinea (L.) Ach.
- Ramalina lacera (With.) J.R.Laundon
- Ramalina pollinaria
- Ramalina polymorpha (Lilj.) Ach.
- Ramalina portuensis Samp.
- Ramalina siliquosa (Huds.) A.L.Sm.
- Ramalina subfarinacea (Nyl. ex Cromb.) Nyl.
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.