Scytinium siskiyouense
Siskiyou jellyskin lichen
Family: Collemataceae
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Scytinium siskiyouense (Siskiyou jellyskin lichen) is a California plant in the Collemataceae family.
Siskiyou jellyskin lichen is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native lichen found in the Klamath Ranges in montane conifer forest at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 meters. This distinctive lichen appears as a thin, gelatinous bluish-gray to olive-green organism that expands and contracts with moisture. Growing in small, irregular patches typically 2 to 5 centimeters across, it forms delicate, translucent lobes that spread across rock surfaces and tree bark. Its thallus is thin and membranous, with a jellylike texture that becomes transparent when wet and contracts to a crisp, almost translucent form during dry periods. In moist conditions, the lichen's surface glistens with a characteristic jellyskin-like appearance, creating a unique and ephemeral presence in its forest habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Differentiators are not available at this time.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
Differentiators are not available at this time.
Frequently asked questions
What plant family does Scytinium siskiyouense belong to?
Scytinium siskiyouense is in the Collemataceae family, genus Scytinium.
Is Scytinium siskiyouense rare or endangered?
Scytinium siskiyouense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1S2.
More California species
This species has no close relatives in our California data — here are other species to explore.
Sources: CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.