Hypogymnia schizidiata

island tube lichen

Family: Parmeliaceae

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3

island tube lichen is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) lichen found in coastal regions of California. This pale grayish-white lichen grows as a delicate, branching tube-like structure with distinctive lobed and perforated thallus segments. Forming intricate, complex networks on tree bark and rock surfaces, it typically develops elongated, hollow tube-like extensions that branch and interconnect. Its thallus has characteristic pseudocyphellae (small pores) and a fragile, almost translucent texture that allows light to pass through its delicate membrane. When mature, the lichen can form extensive, interconnected colonies that create complex, three-dimensional structures on its substrate.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.