Hoary Rosette Lichen

Appearance

"Physcia aipolia", which is also known as the Hoary rosette lichen, is characterized by a pale blue to gray thallus. This foliose thallus typically grows approximately 6 centimeters in diameter. "Physcia aipolia" lack a specialized root structure. There are numerous apothecia present, with discs that are dark gray to black in color. The apothecia can be up to 2 millimeters in diameter, and the shape ranges from flat to convex. The apothecia contain ascospores that are brown in color, and 16-29 x 7-12 micrometers. There are no soredia or isidia present. The lower surface is white to pale brown in color, and it contains many pale rhizines.

Habitat

"Physcia aipolia" is a common lichen, that typically grows in well-lit, nutrient dense areas. It is often found on a variety of tree bark and wood. "Physcia aipolia" is recognized as having a secure and apparently secure state and provisional conservation status. "Physcia aipolia" has a wide coverage of habitat ranging from Eastern Canada, Alaska, California, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri. In addition, "Physcia aipolia" growth is not limited by elevation, and the lichen is found at both sea level and upper elevation environments across North America. It is found in both rural and urban environments, and this lichen can tolerate environmental stress and desiccation in arctic, temperate, and boreal areas of North America and Eurasia. "Physcia aipolia" is resistant to pollution, and it has been used as a bioindicator to monitor air quality by the USDA. Since "Physcia aipolia" does not have protective structures, environmental chemicals are reabsorbed. "Physcia aipolia" has been used to measure regional levels of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, N, and S, which are then compared to local air pollution data.