Cladonia prostrata
| Cladonia prostrata | |
|---|---|
| Displaying its dessicated form during a drought | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Lecanorales |
| Family: | Cladoniaceae |
| Genus: | Cladonia |
| Species: | C. prostrata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cladonia prostrata A.Evans (1952)[2]
| |
Cladonia prostrata, commonly called dune cup lichen[3] or resurrection lichen, is an endangered species[1] of lichen endemic to the U.S. southeast coastal plain where it is known from populations in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.[1][2]
Habitat
It occurs in the sandy soils of fire-dependent xeric relict dune habitats such as sandhill and scrub.[2][1]
Conservation
Due to its restricted habitat requirements and known distribution, it thought to be an endangered species across its range.[1] In Georgia, it is known from only 3 populations (of which only 1 is protected) on ancient dunes of the Ohoopee River system. Otherwise, it may be found in greater abundance and continuity in Florida's panhandle and down the Lake Wales Ridge.[2] It is under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation due to fire suppression and development of infrastructure and real estate.[2]
References