Rusavskia elegans (formerly Xanthoria elegans), commonly known as the elegant sunburst lichen, is a lichenized species of fungus in the genus Rusavskia, family Teloschistaceae. Recognized by its bright orange or red pigmentation, this species grows on rocks, often near bird or rodent perches. It has a circumpolar and alpine distribution. It was one of the first lichens to be used for the rock-face dating method known as lichenometry.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Elegant Sunburst 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
- Rusavskia sorediata
- Polycauliona ignea
- Calogaya saxicola
- Dufourea ligulata
- Xanthomendoza trachyphylla
- Xanthoria aureola
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Lecanoromycetes
- Order
- Teloschistales
- Family
- Teloschistaceae
- Genus
- Rusavskia
- Species
- Rusavskia elegans
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