Learn to identify three common lichen genera (Umbilicaria, Rhizocarpon, Xanthoparmelia).

This series was designed for the SF Bay Area and Northern California, but most of the lichens covered are common more widely, in some cases worldwide.

This video assumes a basic understanding of what a lichen is and basic anatomy. It doesn’t get too detailed but does include basic terms like crustose, foliose, fruticose, cortex, apothecia, soredia, and cilia. For a primer on lichen terms that may be used in this video, watch Lichen Anatomy Parts 1 & 2 in the Meet the Lichens playlist or check out these resources from the Australian Nat’l Botanic Garden:

General Anatomy

Reproductive Structures

Video Transcript

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Welcome to Look, a Lichen!, a celebration of lichens in Northern California and beyond.

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