Some sites use duplicate tube lichen as a common name for this composite organism, but I prefer tickertape bone lichen. As Richard (the photographer) notes, this a popular species in lichen charades–either common name will do.
Hypogymnia duplicata is endemic to rainforests of western North America. It primarily occurs in the coastal rainforests of Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, but there are documented occurrences in the coastal rainforests of Oregon and the inland rainforests of British Columbia and Idaho (see interactive map via Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria). Its relatively few occurrences in Oregon have resulted in it being listed as a sensitive species / insufficient data species in some of the state’s conservation rankings; Conservation Assessments for 5 species of Lichens (PDF) contains the details on the conservation status, as well as a morphological description of the lichen and more specifics on habitat & distribution, i.e.,
Hypogymnia duplicata occurs as an epiphyte on mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), western hemlock (T. heterophylla), Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa) , and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in old-growth forests of the western Cascades, Olympics, and Oregon Coast Range between 330 m and 1660 m (1100-5450 ft) elevation. This lichen is primarily found in maritime, high precipitation (100 – 110 in/yr) old-growth conifer forests west of the Cascade crest in Washington; it is also found in mountain hemlock/Pacific silver fir forests in the mesic to moist Alaska Huckleberry (Vaccinium alaskaense) plant associations
and
Occasionally, atypical habitat conditions are documented for this species. These habitats are described as forests on a lava flow and a lahar in northwestern Washington, on a snag in a bog in the Oregon Coast Range, and on moss-covered basalt outcrops on a windswept ridge of Saddle Mountain in Oregon.
Additional images of Hypogymnia duplicata are available via another noted lichen photographer, Stephen Sharnoff. I hope to photograph it this summer at Botany BC.
I just love this one, titles and all.
Tickertape bone lichen is a great common name, and lichen charades? That sounds like fun – lichen common names are amazing. It would be nice to know what the other lichens/composite organisms and mosses are in this photo.
Richard names the dendritic-looking lichen as Sphaerophorus on his Flickr photo. As for the moss, maybe a Dicranum? That is a wild guess.
I love the variety of plants that you post–from the mighty to then mini. Lichens are wonderful and their uses are many: dyes, food for some wildlife (ex. reindeer), bird nest construction and nest camouflage material (ex. hummingbirds), medicinal, and I believe that some produce rock crumbling acids that help lead to soil development in barren areas, etc. And–their endless shapes, colours and sometimes scents are fascinating!
And who doesn’t play Lichen Charades?!?! love the photo, and the game concept
I really “lichen” this post 😉
Finally got back to my computer. Thanks Daniel for posting and for very good information. I would add that although H. duplicata is well documented I’ve only encountered it a few times, and think it prefers a somewhat particular environment.
I agree with Lynne, and share Lynn’s interest in the entire community and wonder how it all interacts. I think Daniel is correct with Dicranum. Looking at the original photo full size I’m seeing Alectoria, Cladonia, Hypnum, Dicranum, Thelotrema, Sphaerophorus, Ochrolechia or other white crust, Hypogymnia physodes,and possibly Parmelia. Studies of some individual lichens using DNA have indicated the presence of hundreds of cryptic species of bacteria and fungi.
(Another good one for Charades – Pilophorus)