Diploschistes scruposus (crater lichen) is a pale gray to white, warty to cracked (areolate) crustose lichen with black, urn-shaped (urceolate) fruiting bodies (apothecia). It is found worldwide on growing on rock (saxicolous) that is siliceous, in open areas in Mediterranean, temperate and polar areas, from the low tropics to high altitudes. It is in the family Graphidaceae. In California, it is the most common member of the Diploschistes genus. It is not covered in a powdery white coating (epruinose), which distinguishes it from other members of the genus.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Crater Lichen being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Diploschistes actinostomus
- Pertusaria californica
- Xalocoa ocellata
- Lepra corallina
- Aspicilia cinerea
- Coccotrema maritimum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Lecanoromycetes
- Order
- Ostropales
- Family
- Graphidaceae
- Genus
- Diploschistes
- Species
- Diploschistes scruposus
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo