Fungus · GBIF taxon 3392646
Lepraria lobificans
Lepraria lobificansAlso known as Fluffy Dust Lichen, Lobed Dust Lichen, Fluffy Powder Lichen
Lepraria lobificans forms soft, cottony, powdery crusts on shaded tree bark, damp rock faces, and mossy substrates. Lacking a structured upper surface or fruiting bodies, this dust lichen reproduces almost entirely via microscopic vegetative propagules dispersed by wind or water. Its pale blue-green to grayish thallus features subtle, fan-like lobes along the margins and relies on secondary metabolites like stictic acid to deter herbivores.
LichenShade-lovingEpiphytic
Licensed referencePeter Gabler / CC0 · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Atmospheric Nutrients
Predators
- Mites
- Snails
- Slugs
ThreatsAir pollution, localized forest clearing, and severe microclimate desiccation
HabitatsShaded hardwood bark, mossy rock faces, sheltered ravines, and humid damp forests
Life spanIndefinite (decades as a colonial lichen body)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyStereocaulaceae
- SpeciesLepraria lobificans
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; wild fungi and lichens should never be ingested.
Responsible observation
- Substrate observation: Look for pale, powder-like green crusts coating shaded bases of trees and mossy rocks.
- Avoid scraping: Leave delicate lichen crusts undisturbed on their bark or stone surface.
Genus Member (c) Michel Langeveld, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Co-occurring Species (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Neal Kelso, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Neal Kelso · cc-by
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