Lichens marins

Ramalina siliquosa Chem. crassa = Chem. b.

Ramalina crassa (Delise ex Nylander) Motyka p.p.

Description

Characterized by its chemical reactions: C-, K + yellow then red, KC +/- red, P+ yellow then orange, UV-. (Salazinic acid). This chemotype, quite common, presents a particular aspect: gray-greenish coloration in humid weather, dirty gray a little earthy in dry weather, few branches, short and broad, sometimes hollow, convex, curved, very nodular or tuberous, more or less deformed and swollen (suggesting intestine folding!) often as digitalised by lateral or terminal growths. This fairly common taxon occurs on vertical siliceous rock walls protected from direct precipitation from the aerohaline zone as well as on the walls of neighboring old buildings (walls of chapels by the sea). This taxon is quite easy to recognize even without reacting to K (yellow then red), however, if done, it will confirm the identification.

This relatively common taxon is very variable and we can describe several forms:

Ramalina siliquosa Chem. crassa forme des rochers côtiers:
The ends of the branches are very divided in a mainly bifid way in "serpent's tongue" but also multiple "in deer horn" these divisions sometimes having their ends a little curved into a hook. On acidic coastal rocks, very exposed to sea spray and seawater projections.

Ramalina siliquosa Chem. crassa forme des parois rocheuses:
The branches are swollen (at least towards the base), crooked and often deformed and their surface is very nodular. Typically on vertical dry rock faces or more often on old walls (Chapels) in the aerohaline zone.

Ramalina siliquosa Chem. crassa forme à rameaux palmés:

The branches are flattened, especially at their ends, very divided which gives them a palmed deer horn appearance, their surface is little or not nodular. On the vertical walls in the shade of exposed coastal rocks.