Fruticose Lichens

5 November 2005

Lichens come in three basic forms: crustose (like a crust), foliose (leaf-like), and fruticose (shrub-like, but in miniature), but have been grouped into up to seven artificial groups.

Fruticose lichens are found on all substrate types: bark, soil, rocks, other lichens, mosses, with variations or stratification of such habitats.

Below are some information and photographs of various fruticose lichens, almost all unidentified at this point, that occur in a wide range of habitats.   They range in color wildly, and contribute to the biodiversity.   Some photos will have more than one lichen species, so look carefully.

All photos copyrighted by David L. Magney 2003-2005.

This page was last updated on 6 January 2008


Here are some examples of fruticose lichens.


Letharia vulpina growing on shrub (Arctostaphylos) branches (corticolous) in Giant Sequoia National Monumnet, Tulare County, California (left) and on Abies.


Usnea from Bareloche area of Argentina (left) and Cochomo Valley, Chile (right).


Ramalina menziesii on Quercus in the Jolon area of Monterey County, California.


Ramalina menziesii on Quercus agrifolia in Los Osos/Baywood Park (Morro Bay area), San Luis Obispo County, California.   The California Lichen Society would like to see this species designated as the official California State Lichen.


Usnea from Los Osos/Baywood Park, San Luis Obispo County.


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Additional fruticose lichen pages.
Fruticose Lichen Photos 1 [under construction]
Fruticose Lichen Photos 2 [under construction]
Fruticose Lichen Photos 3 [under construction]


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