Umbilicaria torrefacta
species of fungus
Umbilicaria torrefacta is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Umbilicariaceae. It is an arctic-alpine species with a circumpolar distribution and is widely distributed within the Holarctic realm, specifically within the Palearctic and Neoarctic biogeographical regions. Characteristic features of Umbilicaria torrefacta include the lace-like fringe in its lobes and the plates on the underside of the thallus. One common name, punctured rock-tripe, refers to the distinctive sieve-like perforations on the thallus margins.
The species was scientifically described in 1777 by John Lightfoot and later classified under the genus Umbilicaria by Heinrich Schrader in 1794. Because of its somewhat variable morphology, this species has often been misidentified historically and described under different names, resulting in an extensive synonymy. In 2017, a lectotype specimen was designated for the species, clarifying its taxonomic status. Molecular phylogenetics studies have revealed complex relationships within the family Umbilicariaceae, resulting in the revision of the genus Umbilicaria. U. torrefacta is a member of Gyrophora, a subgenus characterised by species with circular ridges on the discs of their apothecia; rigid, non-pustulate thalli; and specific secondary metabolites, such as gyrophoric acid and stictic acid.
Umbilicaria torrefacta has distinct spectral properties, transmitting very little light and significantly altering the spectral signature of rock surfaces.
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The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Apr 14, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q10667752. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1777, 1794 and 2017.
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This entry incorporates text from “Umbilicaria torrefacta” 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.