welcome to my cave

Lobaria anthraspis

Dimpled specklebelly

I have been saving this lichen for a special occasion because I am so incredibly in love with her that I haven't wanted to free her from my drafts folder. But today is the day. This gorgeous weirdo is a tripartite (has both a green algae AND a cyanobacteria as photobionts) foliose lichen which grows only in the cold, humid forests of western North America. It has leathery, reticulated lobes which vary in color from dark brown (melanized) to gray blue to olive green in color. It produces lots of apothecia which also vary in color from orange to red to brown to black. Like other Lobarias, L. anthraspis prefers old-growth, isolated forests far away from pollution and disturbance. So my current retirement plan is to wander into the forest and settle wherever I find her and live out the rest of my life in peace and joy (the rest of my life not being very long due to the harsh winters of the region, but at least I will go out happy in the presence of the one I love).

images: source