description Collema tenax Overview
Collema tenax, currently treated in some sources as Enchylium tenax, is a gelatinous lichen containing a cyanobacterial photobiont. Its dark, tightly attached thallus can become swollen and flexible when wet, a characteristic shared by jelly lichens, and it commonly grows on exposed soil or rock, including calcareous substrates. The species is widespread and is associated with open terrestrial habitats where the lichen community can tolerate drying and rehydration.
help Collema tenax FAQ
Is Collema tenax the same lichen as Enchylium tenax?
Many modern taxonomic sources treat Collema tenax as Enchylium tenax, while Collema tenax remains a familiar name in older references. The name change reflects a reorganization of the jelly-lichen group. [GBIF taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/species/5260643)
Why does Collema tenax become jelly-like when wet?
Its dark thallus absorbs water and becomes swollen, flexible, and gelatinous. When dry, the same lichen can look much darker, tighter, and less substantial.
Where does Collema tenax grow?
It commonly grows on soil, soil over rock, sand, and mosses over rock, especially in open habitats. It can tolerate both fairly moist ground and dry, exposed sites, which helps explain its broad distribution.
What does the cyanobacterium do in Collema tenax?
The lichen contains a cyanobacterial photobiont, often discussed in connection with genera such as Nostoc. That partner provides photosynthetic activity, while the fungal part forms most of the visible thallus.
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