Honestly, Iβve been resisting posting this lichen. I have made a number of posts which I then deleted and started over because I just could not find the right images to perfectly capture all the incredible aspects of R. menziesiiβthe delicate beauty, all the scientific research, the geometric complexity, the giant swarms it forms as it covers and tree from top to bottom enshrouding it in darkness, the colorβitβs just so amazing!
R. menziesii is fruticose, pendulous, and can grow over 50 cm long. It forms those very distinctive branches with net-like fenestrations along the flattened lobes. The color is a silver-green when dry, bright yellow-green when moist. Linear pseudocyphellae (pores in the thallus where medulary hyphae poke through) are common, as are lecanorine apothecia which are the same color as the thallus. R. menziesii grows exclusively on wood, and can form long, dense, conspicuous colonies. Sadly for me, this lichen only grows in North America (it is the state lichen of California [the only state with a state lichen]), so itβll be awhile before I can go out searching for this pal. Indigenous people (such as the Kashaya Pomo people) have historically used lace lichen for fiber, baby diaper filling, and sanitary products. It is also an important food source for coastal deer, and is used as nesting material for birds. Basically, this lichen is super important. And stunning. And amazing. I canβt say enough, so I will stop here.Β
titsay
2087
turnnoffyourmind
theartofmadeline
