Ramalina farinacea
A fruticose (shrubby) lichen
Ramalina farinacea, is most commonly found on trees, in damp, shady positions. The examples here were found near Apedale Beck, adjacent to the old railway trackbed. Ramalina has a shrubby, or fruticose habit. Apothecia are rare, reporduction being mainly by soredia, tiny vegetative propagules. Ramalina is a good indicator of air pollution, particularly sulphur dioxide. This speies is reasonably tolerant, but still indicates good air quality.
Photograph detail
Slide 1: Ramalina farinacea, on Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa. Railway near Apedale Beck, Hargill. December.
Slide 2: Ramalina farinacea, on Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa. There is a slug at the bottom left. Railway near Apedale Beck, Hargill. December.
Slide 3: Ramalina farinacea, on Crab Apple, Malus sylvestris. Railway near Apedale Beck, Hargill. December.
Slide 4: Ramalina farinacea. Thallus with soralia. Soralia are structures that produce tiny propagules called soredia (slide 5). Collected from railway near Apedale Beck, Hargill. December.
Slide 5: Ramalina farinacea. Cluster of soredia, which are tiny bundles of fungal and algal tissues, ready to grow into a new lichen. Photographed at x1000, brightfield illumination, oil immersion. Collected from railway near Apedale Beck, Hargill. December.