Hooded Ribbon Lichen
Ramalina obtusata
The Hooded Ribbon Lichen (Ramalina obtusata) is a fruticose lichen species characterized by its distinctive flattened, ribbon-like thalli that form pendant clusters resembling miniature curtains. This epiphytic lichen plays a crucial ecological role as a bioindicator of air quality and provides habitat and food sources for various invertebrates and small mammals.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Lecanorales
Family
Ramalinaceae
Genus
Ramalina
Hooded Ribbon Lichen belongs to the family Ramalinaceae, order Lecanorales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
The Hooded Ribbon Lichen (Ramalina obtusata) is a fruticose lichen species characterized by its distinctive flattened, ribbon-like thalli that form pendant clusters resembling miniature curtains. This epiphytic lichen plays a crucial ecological role as a bioindicator of air quality and provides habitat and food sources for various invertebrates and small mammals.
Hooded Ribbon Lichen (Ramalina obtusata) is critically endangered primarily due to air pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds that severely impact lichen survival. Habitat loss from coastal development and climate change effects including altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity further threaten the remaining populations of this sensitive epiphytic species.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Ramalina obtusata grows exclusively on the bark of mature deciduous trees, particularly favoring oak, maple, and ash species in humid temperate forests. The species requires specific microclimatic conditions found in old-growth forest canopies where air circulation is optimal and pollution levels remain minimal.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Hooded Ribbon Lichen (Ramalina obtusata) is critically endangered primarily due to air pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds that severely impact lichen survival. Habitat loss from coastal development and climate change effects including altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity further threaten the remaining populations of this sensitive epiphytic species.
Air pollution from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Coastal habitat loss and development
Increased storm intensity and frequency
Loss of suitable host trees
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Hooded Ribbon Lichen (Ramalina obtusata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/hooded-ribbon-lichen