Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Caloplaca approximata (Lynge) H. Magn.
Approximate Orange Lichen
Caloplaca approximata is a small crustose orange lichen that has a thallous that grows within rock (endolithic). The small orange
apothecia are all that one sees on the surface of the substrate. The lecoranine apothecia are only about 0.3mm in diameter. The photobiont
is green. The spot test for KOH is purple. The epihymenium is bright red in sodium hypochlorite. This was a tough ID to nail down,
so if you think I'm in error, please email me!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Caloplaca approximata, growing on granitic rock, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, growing on granitic rock, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, photomicrograph of apothecia, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, photomicrograph of cross section of apothecium, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, photomicrograph showing fungal hyphae within the upper couple of mm of rock, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, photomicrograph of cross section of apothecium, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, photomicrograph of ascus, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, purple in KOH, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
Caloplaca approximata, epihymenium bright red in hypochlorite (C), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 18, 2019
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