For homework this month. read the below info via the links. Note that lichen collecting, like fungus collecting requires good notes, and pretty much the same info as mushrooms. ID is also similar, using microscope, but lichens also use chemical tests extensively

 

Collect some fallen lichens (not attached to/ from trees or rocks, NOTE some ground lichens like Peltigera are actually attached to soil/duff, as are soil lichens. Safest to get one that is not attached to any substrate), loose or on fallen twigs after a windstorm is ideal; a photo is also safe to avoid depleting the resource. Dry/desiccated is ok.

 

See if you can work out the growth form and possibly the genus from the resources.

 

Macrolichens are foliose and fruticose, and larger squamulose ones. Microlichens are crustose, and are treated separately on one of B. McCune's websites. https://oregondigital.org/sets/lichens-pnw Those are harder and id is more of a challenge. 

 

If anyone is serious about PNW lichens, get the field guide "Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest" Second Ed by Bruce McCune and Linda Geiser. Or check out from library. Super helpful. If you have it, please read the introductory pages  up to the beginning of the key.

 

For the lichen session, I will have a few and talk about them, i.d. techniques, plus ethical collecting, dyes, and any questions from the group I am able to answer.

 

Here are the links to read - if it is a page, explore the tabs and pages located there as much as you like.

 

https://lichens.twinferntech.net/pnw/characteristics.shtml

 

What is a lichen

https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/learning/what-is-a-lichen

 

ONLINE modules view the videos! Nice photos. Good intro generally but not our species

https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/learning/learn-the-language

 

Cephalodia & Cladonia page - helpful photos of microscopic features. You will appreciate how hard it is to get these after looking at mushroom microscopic characters

https://lichens.twinferntech.net/pnw/characteristics.shtml#GreenPrimary

 

Common macrolichen keys and info via McCune - to be used with the field guide. The key here is optional to try, it is not like the keys you are used to, but you might find it easier to use. It will take some time to learn and is geeky

https://lichens.twinferntech.net/pnw/index.shtml

 

 

For info about Bruce McCune, microlichens, and courses https://bmccune.weebly.com/lichens.html

 

For all things PNW lichen and other links, rabbit holes:  https://northwest-lichenologists.wildapricot.org/

 

As you learn about these interesting organisms, do searches on iNaturalist for some of the lichens that interest you. Share two of your finds with your study group and have a discussion on what of the three categories they fit into. 

 

 Finally, if you find a specimen, take a photo and upload it to iNaturalist, and then share a link with your study group.