Lichen reproductive structures
There are two lichen species on this section of a fallen branch along the Dowagiac River. At the bottom is Physcia millegrana. I am still working on the identification of the upper specimen. These images show both the asexual reproductive structures, i.e., the soridia (crusty material) on the thalli of the lichen at the top and sexual, i.e., the apothecia (dark disks on the lichen at the bottom.) A close look at the large thalus margin in the upper right shows the hair-like rhizoids which hold the lichen to the substrate (look in the shadows in the right 1/3 and top 1/3 of the image.)
An interesting ecological point is that these specimen's days are likely numbered. This spring, I have found many lichens on branches which fell during a late fall storm. I have not found these lichens at ground level on intact tree branches. Unfortunately these branches will likely become firewood as summer in this park moves forward.
Photographed using a Nikkor 135mm f/4 bellows lens on a Nikon PB-4 bellows with a Sony A7R. Focus stacked from 40 images using Zerene.
Lichen reproductive structures
There are two lichen species on this section of a fallen branch along the Dowagiac River. At the bottom is Physcia millegrana. I am still working on the identification of the upper specimen. These images show both the asexual reproductive structures, i.e., the soridia (crusty material) on the thalli of the lichen at the top and sexual, i.e., the apothecia (dark disks on the lichen at the bottom.) A close look at the large thalus margin in the upper right shows the hair-like rhizoids which hold the lichen to the substrate (look in the shadows in the right 1/3 and top 1/3 of the image.)
An interesting ecological point is that these specimen's days are likely numbered. This spring, I have found many lichens on branches which fell during a late fall storm. I have not found these lichens at ground level on intact tree branches. Unfortunately these branches will likely become firewood as summer in this park moves forward.
Photographed using a Nikkor 135mm f/4 bellows lens on a Nikon PB-4 bellows with a Sony A7R. Focus stacked from 40 images using Zerene.