Alectoria lata (aka “Flowering Witch’s Hair”)

Location Summary

Habitat: On conifer branches, especially pine, as well as rock & soil, in montane forests at high altitude3s.

Identification Characteristics

Description: Thallus forming shrubby to subpendent tufts, 5-8 (-15) cm long, pale greenish yellow, sometimes with streaks of black at the base, without soredia or isidia; branches 0.5-1.5 (-2) mm in diameter. Apothecia usually abundant, appearing to be close to the tips of the branches, with brown disks mostly 2-4 mm in diameter.

Chemistry: Cortex PD-, K-, KC+ gold, C-; medulla usually KC+ red (alectoronic acid).

Lookalikes: The less frequent sterile tufts are hard to distinguish from young speciments of A. sarmentosa, which is pendent when mature.

Bibliography: Lichens of North America, by Brodo, Sharnoff, & Sharnoff

Database Entry:  Distance Everheart 12-26-13