Synonyms: Dermatocarpella squamulosa, Dermatocarpon hepaticum, Dermatocarpon squamulosum, Endocarpon exiguum, Endocarpon squamulosum, Endopyrenium exiguum, Placidium squamulosum.
Common names: scaly stipplescale lichen, limy soil stipplescale lichen, Jellytot Earthscale Lichen.
Catapyrenium squamulosum is a crustose lichen that grows on calcareous rocks, trees, and soil. In East and Central Texas, it typically forms greyish-brown to dark brown squamules with a rough surface, often densely crowded and overlapping. The species is commonly found on limestone outcrops, cedar elm, and live oak trees, particularly in areas with high pH and moderate to low levels of humidity. It can thrive in full sun to partial shade and is tolerant of drought. Thalli are usually 1-5 cm in diameter, with squamules 0.5-2 mm wide.
Limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 near Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2019
FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Brown and green squamules of limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 near Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2019FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in wet condition (green) on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 near Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2019FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Squamules of limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 near Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2019FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in dry condition on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Brown squamules of limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in dry condition on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Close-up of brown squamules of limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in dry condition on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in wet condition on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Green squamules of limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in wet condition on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Brown squamules of limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) among moss on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, February 2, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USA
Limy soil stipplescale lichen (Placidium squamulosum, Catapyrenium squamulosum) in dry condition on shallow soil covering limestone on Moore's Hill Outcrop at FM Road 3090 2 miles north-east from Navasota. Texas, September 5, 2020FM 3090, Navasota, TX 77868, USAObservations of Catapyrenium squamulosum in East and Central Texas reveal that the species thrives on shallow soil covering limestone outcrops. The lichen's squamules appear brown when dry and green when wet, indicating its ability to adapt to varying moisture conditions. At Moore's Hill Outcrop near Navasota, the species was found on multiple occasions, with observations recorded in February 2019 and 2020, as well as September 2020. The lichen was often seen growing among moss on the limestone outcrops, suggesting a preference for calcareous substrates. The squamules' color change from brown to green in response to moisture levels suggests that the species is capable of surviving in areas with fluctuating water availability. Overall, the observations highlight the species' presence and adaptability in East and Central Texas.
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