Rare Lichen thought to be extinct is rediscovered
Story and Picture courtesy of BBC News.
A rare lichen last seen in Cornwall in 1998, and now though to be extinct, has been discovered on a fallen branch at a location in southern England, the site is being kept a closely guarded secret for now.
The Golden Eye Lichen Teloschistes chrysophthalmus was once a common sight across southern Britain, however, air pollution, fertilisers and fewer orchards are thought to have led to the demise of this lichen.
It is mostly found in dry sunny climates including Madeira, parts of North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Prior to the sighting in 1998 the last recorded sighting was in Devon in 1966.
The charity Plantlife said its reappearance meant that the lichen could be about to take advantage of a warmer climate and recolonise southern Britain.
Cliff Smith, a lichenologist who discovered the plant with colleague Joy Ricketts, said there could be more specimens to be found.
He said:
“This species grows best at the top of trees or bushes, in this case at the top of an apple tree.
“It is outside the normal view of lichenologists unless we are nimble enough to climb trees.”
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