#scytinium juniperum

[cedar-glade]

Scytinium juniperum apparently it's g4 rank which is wild and I think it's super under appreciated or at least not noticed enough because it occurs on tree buttresses on hills and also on rocks covered in dry formed Anomadon spp. aka tree skirt mosses and rock poodle mosses.

It's found in dry harsh conditions, which also can be associated to the same niche pelts are often associated with.

Oddly enough that squamulose plating on the thallus isn't the giveaway rather its that orange apothecia that is the indicator for the species of Scytinium. It really is more of a G5 species and could honestly be the easiest first lichen to get to know and a good one to introduce you to the juxtaposed family of collemaceae, or blue jelly skin lichens that all share the same photobiont associations for the most part. The family consists of humidity lovers more often than not and also more of an affiliation rather than the above species which likes more dry air conditions.

Next time your on a dry hill with an Anomadon covered rock look for a weird foliose black/darkblue matt intertwined in it!