Sterile crustose lichens are species that reproduce via vegetative diaspores (e.g., soredia or isidia) that are formed in and dispersed from myriad novel morphological structures that have apparently evolved specifically for this purpose. Species that employ this reproductive strategy are common in the Coastal Plain and represent a significant amount of biological diversity that is currently overlooked and underestimated because most lichenologists perceive them as impossible to identify. Although many foliose and fruticose macrolichens also reproduce in this manner these are well known compared to the crusts. Reflecting our broader interests in this group of lichens we have placed a special emphasis on making collections of the species that occur in the Coastal Plain and resolving their taxonomy.
One of primary factors that render this group inaccessible to non-specialists is the lack of high quality illustrations coupled with reliable detailed morphological descriptions. In order to remedy this problem we have begun to create fully illustrated species pages for the species that occur in the Coastal Plain. Please browse the sample pages below that are based on our recent work on the genus Chrysothrix Mont.
As part of our research we have also produced a set of preliminary keys to the sterile crustose lichens of North America. These keys are accompanied by 32 pages of color illustrations and are available as pdf files. They can be accessed via the “Keys” tab above or by clicking here.