Ramalina polyforma
species of fungus
Ramalina polyforma is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), fruticose lichen in the family Ramalinaceae. This greenish-grey shrubby lichen, endemic to the Galápagos Islands, was formally described as a new species in 2007 by Dutch lichenologist André Aptroot.
Taxonomy
Ramalina polyforma was first identified and described in 2007 by Dutch lichenologist André Aptroot. The species epithet, polyforma, reflects the variable physical structure of this species, aptly capturing its morphological diversity. The type specimen for this species was collected by the author on the coastal lava cliffs east of Puerto Ayora near the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galápagos Islands.
Description
Characterised by its highly variable branching pattern, Ramalina polyforma is generally shrubby with a dull appearance, its greenish-grey thallus reaching diameters up to 3 cm (1.2 in). The branching pattern can range from few, stout, and broadly flattened branches reminiscent of antlers with curled tips, to densely ramified, irregularly angular branches. These branches tend to become rounder at their tips and occasionally display curled ends, resembling hooks.
The surface of this lichen is irregularly striate and wrinkled due to the cartilaginous cortical strands. The yellowish soredia, capitate or irregular in form, usually appear terminal and can reach diameters of approximately 1 mm.
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This entry incorporates text from “Ramalina polyforma” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.