Trentepohlia on Cypress
This green algae (Trentepohlia) is red-colored due to carotene content. It grows profusely on the rare Monterrey cypresses (Cupressus macrocarpa) at Point Lobos, California. Feb 25, 2007.
This is particularly interesting, because this genus of green algae is known to associate with fungi to create a number of lichens, including, quite remarkably, the false orchil, which also grows in profusion in this self-same cypress grove! It makes one wonder if the lichen is using the same species of alga as you see growing on its own here.
Trentepohlia on Cypress
This green algae (Trentepohlia) is red-colored due to carotene content. It grows profusely on the rare Monterrey cypresses (Cupressus macrocarpa) at Point Lobos, California. Feb 25, 2007.
This is particularly interesting, because this genus of green algae is known to associate with fungi to create a number of lichens, including, quite remarkably, the false orchil, which also grows in profusion in this self-same cypress grove! It makes one wonder if the lichen is using the same species of alga as you see growing on its own here.