Fluffy Dust Lichen
Lepraria finkii
This lichen is 'leprose,' meaning it lacks a structured outer skin and consists entirely of powdery granules called soredia used for reproduction.
- Scientific name
- Lepraria finkii
- Taxonomy
- Fungi › Ascomycota › Lecanoromycetes › Lecanorales › Stereocaulaceae › Lepraria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Shaded rock faces, tree bases, and damp soil in humid temperate forests.
- Diet
- Phototrophic; produces energy via its internal green algae and absorbs minerals from rain and atmosphere.
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia, Australasia
- Size
- Individual granules are microscopic; colonies form mats 1-20cm wide.
- Lifespan
- 50-150 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- High sensitivity to air pollution (sulfur dioxide) and loss of old-growth forest canopy.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This species is safe to observe closely. Avoid scraping, peeling, or touching the lichen, as it grows extremely slowly and is sensitive to oils from human skin.
Lepraria finkii is a type of lichen in the genus Lepraria . Its colours range from a greenish-gray to a bluish-green. The organism is generally found everywhere in the world, but more commonly found in tropical areas; it can be spotted in shaded areas on tree trunks, overtaking bryophytes, in soil banks, and in dry niches.
Photo: Neal Kelso, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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