CRCritically Endangered

Rimmed Wart Lichen

Varicellaria velata

Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

01Classification

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Ascomycota

Class

Lecanoromycetes

Order

Pertusariales

Family

Varicellariaceae

Genus

Varicellaria

Rimmed Wart Lichen belongs to the family Varicellariaceae, order Pertusariales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.

02Description

Species Profile

Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Rimmed Wart Lichen faces severe threats from air pollution and habitat degradation, as lichens are extremely sensitive to atmospheric contaminants and changes in air quality. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes in its specialized habitats, while deforestation and urban development continue to destroy the old-growth forest ecosystems this species depends upon.

Key Facts

IUCN StatusCritically Endangered (CR)
GroupFungi
03Habitat

Habitat & Distribution

This lichen species typically inhabits the bark of old-growth deciduous and mixed forests, particularly favoring mature trees in humid, shaded environments with stable microclimates. It requires areas with minimal air pollution and consistent moisture levels, often found in undisturbed forest ecosystems at various elevations.

TERRESTRIALMajor
04Threats

Threats

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IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

Rimmed Wart Lichen faces severe threats from air pollution and habitat degradation, as lichens are extremely sensitive to atmospheric contaminants and changes in air quality. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes in its specialized habitats, while deforestation and urban development continue to destroy the old-growth forest ecosystems this species depends upon.

Air pollution and atmospheric contamination

HighOngoing

Climate change and altered precipitation patterns

HighOngoing

Deforestation and habitat loss

HighOngoing

Changes in forest management practices

MediumOngoing

Urban development and infrastructure expansion

MediumOngoing
Community

Community Sightings

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07Sources

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). Rimmed Wart Lichen (Varicellaria velata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/rimmed-wart-lichen

Full citation guide & data usage terms