Peltigera castanea

Peltigera castanea is a species of terricolous and muscicolous (ground- and moss-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Described as a new species in 2003, it is part of the taxonomically challenging species complex centred around Peltigera didactyla. Recognised based on phylogenetic studies that highlighted its unique genetic markers, P. castanea is distinguished by its dark, chestnut-coloured upper surface, which inspired its vernacular name, chestnut pelt lichen. Its known distribution includes North America (British Columbia, Western Canada), Asia (China and Siberia), Europe (Estonia), Greenland, and the Antarctic. The conservation status of Peltigera castanea varies regionally, from being critically imperiled in British Columbia and Yukon to critically endangered in Estonia due to significant habitat degradation and restricted population size. Peltigera castanea is distinguished by its foliose, leaf-like thallus that loosely attaches to its substrate. It covers up ......read more on Wikipedia.