Lichens and mosses of the Eardley Escarpment

Exploring the world of primitive plants

A: Eric photographing rock tripe on Eardley Escarpment.

A world of lichens awaits discovery on the Precambrian rocks of the Eardley Escarpment. I do not yet know all of their names: if you can help to identify them, I invite your comments.

Here, Eric is photographing rock tripe, a kind of lichen. Rock tripe is common, and is an edible (though not choice) species of fungi. 

Image B is a photo of several lichens. In particular, one reminds me of cedar. This image depicts several different kinds, all of which I would like to have identified for me, so that I start to know what is growing here at Spiritwood.

B. Several lichens.

Nearby, yet another plant attracted our attention, a series of “circles” which might be spores or “young lichens” or -- are they a mature species of a different type of lichen? 

C. These “circles” mystify me. What are they?

And below? Another perspective of these “circles” surrounded by mosses and framed by dead deciduous and evergreen leaves.

D. Another view of the “dots” or “circles”.

E. Feathery or fern-like moss.

To the left, moss which resembles a small fern or perhaps feather.

G. Another “creeping style” of “feathery” moss.

And above, a “creeping” species, with snow receding from it.