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Thamnolia vermicularis

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description Thamnolia vermicularis Overview

Thamnolia vermicularis is a fruticose lichen with erect or partly decumbent, cylindrical branches that are usually white or cream-colored. The hollow-looking, worm-shaped tubes may form loose tufts, and the pointed branches can vary considerably in length and thickness. It is distributed across Arctic, subarctic, and alpine environments, where it commonly grows on exposed tundra soils and other open, cold habitats.

help Thamnolia vermicularis FAQ

What color and shape is Thamnolia vermicularis?

Thamnolia vermicularis forms white or cream-colored cylindrical branches that look like hollow, worm-shaped tubes. The branches can be erect or partly decumbent and vary in length and thickness.

Where does Thamnolia vermicularis grow?

It is associated with cold, exposed environments such as alpine and Arctic habitats. Its loose tufts are adapted to open ground where low temperatures and wind limit taller vegetation.

Is Thamnolia vermicularis a crustose lichen?

No, it is a fruticose lichen with three-dimensional, branching growth. That erect or partly trailing structure is very different from the tightly attached crust of a species such as Placopsis gelida.

Why is Thamnolia vermicularis sometimes confused with a white plant stem?

Its pale, narrow branches grow in loose tufts and can resemble dried grass or tiny worm-like stems. Unlike a plant stem, each branch is part of a lichen thallus formed by a fungus and its photosynthetic partner.

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