Candleflame Lichen
Candelaria concolor
This species is highly tolerant of urban environments and acts as a biological indicator of moderate air quality.
- Scientific name
- Candelaria concolor
- Taxonomy
- Fungi › Ascomycota › Lichinomycetes › Candelariales › Candelariaceae › Candelaria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Bark of nutrient-rich deciduous trees, wooden fences, and occasionally rocks in open, sunny areas.
- Diet
- Self-nourishing via photosynthesis (by its algal partner) and absorbing moisture and minerals from air and rain.
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia, South America
- Size
- Individual lobes are 0.5 to 1 mm wide, forming colonies up to 2 cm across.
- Lifespan
- Several decades to over a century
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Severe localized air pollution, heavy sulfur dioxide emissions, and host tree removal.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This lichen is completely safe to touch and observe at any distance. Avoid scraping it off its host tree, as this can damage both the lichen and the bark. No medical action is needed upon contact.
Candelaria concolor , commonly known as the candleflame lichen or the lemon lichen , is an ascomycete of the genus Candelaria . It is a small foliose lichen dispersed globally.
Photo: Elias, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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