State Status: SC
Federal Status: none
State Rank: S1
Global Rank: G5
Photo by Troy McMullin
Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences
Powder-headed Tube Lichen (Hypogymnia tubulosa), a Wisconsin Special Concern lichen, is found on the bark and twigs of conifer, or occasionally deciduous, trees in northern Wisconsin.
Powder-headed tube lichen is a foliose lichen with apothecia that are rare. The upper surface of the thallus is white to pale blue, the lower surface black and lacking rhizines. Branches are ascending and mostly terete in cross section.
It can be distinguished from the more common Hypogymnia physodes by the soredia, which are capitate on lobe tips (vs the curled lip-like lobe edges). Also, the thallus branches of are less flattened and appressed to the substrate. It may also resemble Menegazzia terebrata but lacks the holes in the upper thallus surface seen in that species.
Soralia are capitate (hat-like or like a morel mushroom) at lobe tips.
Powder-headed tube lichen is found on the bark and twigs of conifer, or occasionally deciduous, trees in northern Wisconsin.
Associated species include Abies balsamea, Picea mariana, Thuja occidentalis, and Betula species.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations
Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.
