Scytinium siskiyouense

Siskiyou jellyskin lichen

Family: Collemataceae

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

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.

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