Cladonia cristatella, plus one unidentified...

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:51 pm

Cladonia cristatella

A group of yellow fruiting bodies of a, yet by me, unidentified lichen, photographed using the dissecting microscope. The yellow color is most probably due to the yellow pigment "parietin." If so, a spot test using caustic potash or potassium hydroxide solution (KOH), should cause the pigment to turn a purplish-red color. For anyone using caustic potash, be very careful, you can get seriously burned on your skin or if KOH is gotten into the eyes, you can be blinded by the stuff!

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:15 pm

Fantastic shots as always Ken!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:34 pm

Thanks Larry!

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:10 am

What magnification is used in that first one Ken?

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:50 am

Larry asked:

What magnification is used in that first one Ken?

I cannot recall there Larry, sorry

but just guessing I would say at around 20X, giving me an 11 mm FOV through the dissecting microscope. Actually I was more taken with the beauty than with anything else. Cladonia are some beautiful little lichens when fruiting.

Thanks Larry

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:20 am

Makes me want to get out and find some if the weather wasn't so bad! No snow just ice cold rain!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:33 am

Larry wrote:

Makes me want to get out and find some if the weather wasn't so bad! No snow just ice cold rain!

Perfect weather for lichens, well at least around here. The rain induces fruiting. However, I can agree with you not wanting to get out in the rain and the cold. Pretty nasty here today but tomorrow is forecast to be promising.