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COLLECTION SITES
In 48 Rhode Island localities, 892 packets of material were collected, consisting of 92 different species of foliose and fruticose lichens. Of these 892 packets, approximately 50 packets contained crustose lichen species that have been sent to the Farlow Herbarium for further identification and are not included in this report.
The localities described below present a list of species that were found. Only those from The Nature Conservancy Preserves, their assisted project lands, and related properties are described in detail. The additional collection sites list only those lichen species previously unreported.
Beaver River: This area added reinforcement to the idea that certain lichen populations were dying out. The common Flavoparmelia on both rocks and trees showed considerable signs of deterioration, likely due to age and overcrowding. Much the same was seen with Parmelia sulcata and Punctelia rudecta, both also common in this area. Although this site was not considered favorable for diverse lichen growth, 14 different species, including the only site for Physconia detersa, were found along trails near Hoxie Road and Fox Ridge Drive. Lichens found at this site included:
| Cladina subtenuis | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia cristatella | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia grayi | Physconia detersa |
| Cladonia macilenta | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Xanthoparmelia conspersa |
| | Xanthoparmelia somloensis |
Blue Pond: With 30 different species collected, Blue Pond showed the greatest lichen diversity. Collecting was done along the wooded trail leading to the Pond and on the dry hillside along the south side of the trail. The Cladoniae dominated the hillside. The lower woods were moist and generally shaded. Large rocks were evident. The Peltigera spp., other cyanobacteria-containing species, and Cetrelia chicitae were looked for here but were not found. There appears less evidence of lichens dying out in this area. Rimelia reticulata was found only here at Blue Pond. The complete list of 30 species contains:
| Cladina arbuscula | Imshaugia aleurites |
| Cladina subtenuis | Lasallia papulosa |
| Cladonia caroliniana | Melanelia subaurifera |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia cristatella | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia gracilis | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Cladonia grayi | Phaeophyscia rubropulchra |
| Cladonia macilenta | Physcia aipolia |
| Cladonia rei | Physcia millegrana |
| Cladonia sobolescens | Punctelia rudecta |
| Cladonia squamosa | Rimelia reticulata |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Umbilicaria americana |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Umbilicaria mammulata |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Usnea strigosa |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Xanthoparmelia conspersa |
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Park: This State-owned Park is well maintained and widely utilized by the public. Most collection areas showed concentrations of Punctelia rudecta and Flavoparmelia. Large pines in the picnic area and open ground supported few lichen species. Only the crevices of the many large rocks, away from the activities of humans, still maintained lichen growth. Surface areas were worn smooth by constant use by the public. The margins of the Park provided the greatest number of species that included the following 14 species:
| Cetraria arenaria | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladina arbuscula | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladonia cristatella | Parmelia saxatilis |
| Cladonia furcata | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia pyxidata | Parmelia sulcata |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Xanthoparmelia somloensis |
Crandall Swamp: Fourteen species were collected in Crandall Swamp Preserve. The woodland and the lowland swamp were dark and offered few open habitats. The margins of the woods and scattered granite rocks provided most of the following species:
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmelia saxatilis |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia macilenta | Physcia millegrana |
| Cladonia squamosa | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Umbilicaria americana |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Usnea strigosa |
| Lasallia papulosa | Xanthoria plittii |
Diamond Hill State Park: Two visits were made to this site specifically to search for Ramalina americana, known to have been collected there in 1968 (Flenniken 1968b). Searching the scattered trees, sloping hillsides, various rocks, outlying areas, and park margins failed to rediscover this species. However, 21 other species were collected that included:
| Cladina stellaris | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladonia caespiticia | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladonia didyma | Parmelia saxatilis |
| Cladonia fimbriata | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia gracilis | Physcia millegrana |
| Cladonia grayi | Physcia stellaris |
| Cladonia macilenta | Punctelia missouriensis |
| Cladonia sobolescens | Punctelia rudecta |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Xanthoparmelia conspersa |
| Dimelaena oreina | Xanthoparmelia plittii |
| | Xanthoparmelia somloensis |
Ell Pond: This wetland area ranged in habitat from open water to swampy bog and marshland to moist woodland with scattered rocks and rock outcroppings. The area appeared to represent ideal habitats for Peltigera and Leptogium species, but neither genus was found. Flavoparmelia baltimorensis dominated the rocks while Flavoparmelia caperata and Punctelia rudecta dominated the hardwood trees. A total of 21 species was collected in this Preserve. Those species found predominantly on rocks included:
| Dimelaena oreina | Lasallia papulosa |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Umbilicaria americana |
| | Xanthoparmelia tasmanica |
Species found predominantly on the hardwood trees included:
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Physcia stellaris |
| Imshaugia aleurites | Punctelia rudecta |
| Parmelia squarrosa | Usnea strigosa |
The species found growing on soil or humus-covered rocks included:
| Cladina arbuscula | Cladonia fimbriata |
| Cladonia caroliniana | Cladonia grayi |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Cladonia squamosa |
| Cladonia cristatella | Cladonia uncialis |
Factory Pond: The Factory Pond Preserve offered little in the way of rock and tree habitats for lichen species. Its close proximity to high-population activity and a major roadway (US-1) has apparently restricted much of the lichen diversity. The dry, open habitat, however, did support colonies of Cladonia, Dibaeis, and Pycnothelia. Pycnothelia, especially, covered large areas of the sandy soil. Twelve species were found that included:
| Cladina arbuscula | Dibaeis baeomyces |
| Cladonia cristatella | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladonia pleurota | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia polycarpoides | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia pyxidata | Pycnothelia papillaria |
| Cladonia strepsilis | Xanthoparmelia plittii |
Fogland Marsh: Although this is a beautiful beach area, isolated from surrounding developments, there are no lichens found here. The small beach pebbles appeared to be lichen-free of even the crustose forms and the wild rose and shrubs along the salt marsh showed no signs of lichen growth. The only lichen species found were taken from an isolated Honey-locust tree and rock pile along the western border of the property. The five species found here included:
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Physcia millegrana |
| Parmelia sulcata | Usnea strigosa |
| | Xanthoria pareitina |
Grass Pond: The bog and wetlands of Grass Pond were not examined for lichen species. However, the northern area of the Preserve, with its marked trail, provided good collecting for woodland species. Twenty different lichens were found that included:
| Bryoria furcellata | Imshaugia aleurites |
| Cladina subtenuis | Lasallia papulosa |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmelia saxatilis |
| Cladonia fimbriata | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Cladonia macilenta | Parmotrema perforatum |
| Cladonia squamosa | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Umbilicaria americana |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Umbilicaria mammulata |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Usnea strigosa |
Great Swamp: Sampling along the electric power right-of-way from SR-110 gave access to the interior of a section of the Great Swamp. Most of the area was wet and offered little in the way of lichen diversity. The overall habitat appeared to be appropriate for the genus Peltigera that should have been among the many mosses present; however, none was found, lending evidence that this lichen genus is uncommon in Rhode Island at the present time. Moving to another area of the Swamp from Great Neck Road was a bit more productive. Fourteen lichen species were found, as listed below:
| Cladina arbuscula | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladina subtenuis | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmotrema perforatum |
| Cladonia macilenta | Physcia millegrana |
| Cladonia parasitica | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Usnea strigosa |
Headwaters of Wood River: This area shows the beginning of recovery from a suspected decline of lichen species. Recovery was noted as small-growth forms of Tuckermannopsis, Lasallia, and Umbilicaria are becoming established, while older specimens were absent. Twenty-three species were found in the dry woods containing both hardwoods and pines and on large rocks scattered throughout the area. In this site was found the only specimen of Allocteraria oakesiana during the survey. The complete list is as follows:
| Allocteraria oakesiana | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Candelaria concolor | Imshaugia aleurites |
| Cetraria arenaria | Imshaugia placorodia |
| Cladina submitis | Lasallia papulosa |
| Cladina subtenuis | Myelochroa galbina |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia macilenta | Physcia aipolia |
| Cladonia squamosa | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Tuckermannopsis fendleri |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Umbilicaria mammulata |
| | Usnea strigosa |
Lake Wallum: Private properties line the shores of Lake Wallum and no attempt was made to gain access for collecting purposes. Collections were made along SR-100 just south of the Lake area on the grounds of the hospital located there. Old, long-established trees, rocky soils, and the margins of the property were examined for specimens, resulting in finding the following 17 species:
| Candelaria concolor | Flavopunctelia soredica |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladonia cristatella | Melanelia subaurifera |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmelia saxatilis |
| Cladonia macilenta | Parmelia sulcata |
| Evernia mesomorpha | Physcia millegrana |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Physcia stellaris |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Punctelia rudecta |
| | Punctelia subrudecta |
Lime Rock: The lichens in the Lime Rock Preserve showed considerable signs of distress, with older specimens, such as Flavoparmelia baltimorensis, Flavoparmelia caperata, Parmelia sulcata, and Punctelia rudecta, dying out with little evidence of replacement species becoming recolonized. In addition, the primary squamules of the genus Cladonia were often noted, but no secondary thallus growth. The bases of trees were carefully examined for specimens of Anaptychia, Heterodermia, Leptogium, Peltigera, and Sticta, where one would expect to find them, but none of these was found. Several species of unidentified crustose form were collected from the dolomitic marble common in the area.
Eighteen lichen species were identified from this site and include the following:
| Cladonia atlantica | Phaeophyscia rubropulchra |
| Cladonia caespiticia | Physcia millegrana |
| Dimelaena oreina | Physcia stellaris |
| Evernia mesomorpha | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Punctelia subrudecta |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Xanthoparmelia conspersa |
| Lasallia papulosa | Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia |
| Parmelia sulcata | Xanthoparmelia somloensis |
| Phaeophyscia adiastola | Xanthoparmelia tasmanica |
Matunuck Hills Area: This area included several collection sites around Tucker Pond and the Perryville area. Twenty species were found, including:
| Cladina subtenuis | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Cladonia conista | Physcia adscendens |
| Cladonia furcata | Physcia millegrana |
| Cladonia macilenta | Physcia stellaris |
| Cladonia rei | Punctelia ridecta |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Punctelia subrudecta |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Usnea strigosa |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Xanthoparmelia conspersa |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Xanthoparmelia plittii |
| Parmelia squarrosa | Xanthoria parietina |
Nicholas Farm: This area provided yet another collection site among the Pitch Pine/oak barrens and mixed hardwoods with scattered rocks. Most of the habitat was considered open-shade, supporting 21 different lichen species, including the only site where Cladonia ramulosa was found. The following are represented in this area:
| Cladina arbuscula | Hypotrachyna livida |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Melanelia subaurifera |
| Cladonia cristatella | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia fimbriata | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmotrema perforatum |
| Cladonia macilenta | Phaeophyscia rubropulchra |
| Cladonia ramulosa | Physcia millegrana |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Tuckermannopsis fendleri |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Usnea strigosa |
| | Xanthoparmelia conspersa |
Norman Bird Sanctuary: After examining the trees along the parking area of the Sanctuary and the roadside trees, it seemed this was destined to be a lichen desert. Walking the trail along the field, beside the rock fences, and into the woodland further confirmed that few lichen species were to be found. Only a few sterile, crustose lichens were seen on various smooth-bark trees.
However, just beyond the waterfowl pond, where the hillside faces eastward, the habitat began to change and lichens became more noticeable. Hanging Rock Trail was the most productive and yielded specimens of Cladonia boryi, Lasallia pensylvanica, and Umbilicaria muehlenbergii, found in no other collection sites. In all, 20 different species were collected, including:
| Cladonia boryi | Melanelia subaurifera |
| Cladonia caroliniana | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia furcata | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Dimelaena oreina | Phaeophyscia rubropulchra |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Punctelia rudecta |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Punctelia subrudecta |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Umbilicaria muehlenbergii |
| Imshaugia aleurites | Usnea strigosa |
| Lasallia pensylvanica | Xanthoparmelia tasmanica |
Pawtucket River Pine Barrens: This area along SR-91 and Kings Factory Road at Wood River Junction provided an alternative to the restricted Pawtucket River Sand Barrens. Consisting mostly of Pitch Pine growing on dry, sandy soils, this area was typical of other pine barrens visited. The only specimen of Usnea subfusca was collected here. Missing from this site, however, was Tuckermannopsis americana, which was expected to have been common. The list of 17 species contains:
| Cetraria arenaria | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladina submitis | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladina subtenuis | Imshaugia placorodia |
| Cladonia cristatella | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia grayi | Punctelia rudecta |
| Cladonia macilenta | Pycnothelia papillaria |
| Cladonia rei | Tuckermannopsis fendleri |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Usnea strigosa |
| | Usnea subfusca |
Pettaquamscutt River: The Pettaquamscutt River site is located in a highly urbanized region with oceanfront properties and much-traveled thoroughfares, all resulting in suspected, localized, high air pollution. Only a few isolated lichen species were located here. Those found on rocks included:
| Dimelaena oreina | Parmelia sulcata |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Xanthoparmelia plittii |
Those found on isolated trees included:
| Punctelia rudecta | Usnea strigosa |
No soil lichens were found.
Queen River: This Preserve offered an excellent habitat for specific lichen species. Large stands of Pitch Pine making up the pine barrens were ideal for Tuckermannopsis spp. The sandy, unvegetated soils gave rise to species of Cetraria, Cladina, and Cladonia. Although not the common habitat for hardwood species, this area was habitat to 23 different lichens that included:
| Cetraria arenaria | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladina arbuscula | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladina mitis | Imshaugia aleurites |
| Cladina submitis | Imshaugia placorodia |
| Cladonia atlantica | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Cladonia caroliniana | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Physcia millegrana |
| Cladonia cristatella | Punctelia rudecta |
| Cladonia grayi | Tuckermannopsis americana |
| Cladonia macilentai | Tuckermannopsis fendleri |
| Cladonia pleurota | Usnea strigosa |
| | Usnea subfloridana |
Quicksand Pond: This habitat did not support lichen growth and no species were discovered here.
Schoolhouse Pond/Deep Pond: This area showed considerable evidence of lichen stress, resulting in the dying of several common species, especially Parmelia, Flavoparmelia, Parmotrema, and Punctelia. Otherwise the site appeared to be quite a suitable habitat for lichen growth. In mixed stands of pine and hardwoods, Usnea strigosa was abundant, but Tuckermannopsis was conspicuously absent. The list of 20 species collected here includes:
| Cladina arbuscula | Hypotrachyna livida |
| Cladonia caroliniana | Lasallia papulosa |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Parmelia saxatilis |
| Cladonia cristatella | Parmelia sulcata |
| Cladonia grayi | Parmotrema hypotropum |
| Cladonia macilenta | Parmotrema perforatum |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Phaeophyscia rubropulchra |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Physcia aipolia |
| Flavoparmelia caperata | Punctelia rudecta |
| Hypogymnia physodes | Usnea strigosa |
Sprague Farm: The trail leading into Sprague Farm runs into an area that is more or less a wetland that is generally open. Side trails lead upward into the drier hillsides. Lichen diversity was not apparent in either of these areas. Flavoparmelia had overgrown both rocks and small branches and tree trunks. Yet, even these were showing stress of age and overcrowding (and possibly other unrecognized adverse conditions). Only the following 12 different species were collected here:
| Cladina arbuscula | Flavoparmelia caperata |
| Cladonia coniocraea | Hypogymnia physodes |
| Cladonia macilenta | Melanelia subaurifera |
| Cladonia pluerota | Parmelia squarrosa |
| Dibaeis baeomyces | Physcia aipolia |
| Flavoparmelia baltimorensis | Umbilicaria americana |
In addition to the above-listed collection sites, 26 other sites in Rhode Island were visited, making collections to better understand the lichen distribution patterns. These sites are separated as shown in Table 1 and are further listed below. Only lichen species not previously reported (above) are listed for these additional sites.
State- and Town-owned Lands: Sites included Big River Wildlife Management Area, Buck Hill Wildlife Management Area, Carolina Wildlife Management Area, Frenchtown Park, J.L. Curran Park, Lincoln Woods, Ponagansett Public Fishing Area, Scituate Reservoir, and Snake Den State Park. Seven lichen species, not otherwise reported, were found in the sites indicated.
| Big River WMA: | Peltigera canina |
| | Peltigera elizabethae |
| | Peltigera praetextata |
| | Tuckermannopsis ciliaris |
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| Buck Hill WMA: | Cladonia multiformis |
| | Melanelia fuliginosa |
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| Snake Den SP: | Cladonia turgida |
No new lichens were discovered in any of the other sites in this category.
Audubon Society-owned Lands: Collections were made in four Rhode Island Audubon Society properties (Fort Nature Preserve, George Parker Woodlands, Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary, and Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge). Three additional species, as listed below, were discovered here.
| Fort Nature Preserve: | Peltigera didactyla |
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| George Parker Woodlands: | Physcia subtilis |
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| Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary: | Myelochroa aurulenta |
Private Properties: Thirteen private properties were visited, with collections made. Many of these properties were church-affiliated, being churchyards or cemeteries or both. These sites included First Baptist Church at Cross Mills, Clayville Cemetery, Chepachet Cemetery, Coventry Center Cemetery, Perryville Cemetery, Queen River Baptist Church, Elm Grove Cemetery at Allenton, Conanicut Island Cemetery off Beacon Road, and Tiverton Four Corners Cemetery.
In addition to these, collections were made at four other private properties: Black Swamp Area, Iron Mine Hill Road, Oakland Farms, and along SR-146 just north of Iron Mine Hill Road.
Five lichen species, not recorded elsewhere, were found in the sites indicated:
Physciella chloantha (Coventry Center and Elm Grove)
Physconia leucoleiptes (Chepachet)
Xanthoria polycarpa (Cross Mills and Conanicut Island)
Cladonia floridana (SR-146)
Usnea hirta (Oakland Farms)
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