# Peacock Vinyl Lichen (*scytinium polycarpum*)

Peacock Vinyl Lichen is a colorful and fascinating organism that can be found on trees and rocks. Its vibrant colors can make anyone smile and it plays an important role in its ecosystem!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Found on tree bark and rocks in forests and coastal areas.
- **Also known as:** Colorful Lichen

![Peacock Vinyl Lichen](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Scytinium_polycarpum_186147755.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Randal, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scytinium_polycarpum_186147755.jpg)

## Appearance

The Peacock Vinyl Lichen has a striking, dark bluish-green to brownish-black thallus that looks like crinkled vinyl. When wet, it appears shiny and gelatinous, becoming brittle when dry. Its lobed, sometimes iridescent surface makes it visually distinct from other lichens.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Lecanoromycetes
- **Order:** Peltigerales
- **Family:** Collemataceae
- **Genus:** Scytinium

## Interesting facts

- It's like two organisms in one, a fungus and a tiny alga or cyanobacterium!
- Scientists can use lichens like these to tell how clean the air is around them!
- This lichen can live for hundreds, even thousands, of years, growing super slowly!
- When very dry, it can feel like a crispy potato chip, then soften like jelly!

## Special abilities

- **Air Purifier:** Peacock Vinyl Lichen can 'breathe' nitrogen from the air because it has tiny cyanobacteria partners that convert it into plant food.
- **Drought Survivor:** Peacock Vinyl Lichen can dry out completely and appear lifeless, rehydrating later because its cells tolerate extreme water loss.
- **Rock Sculptor:** Peacock Vinyl Lichen can slowly break down rocks because its acids and growth help create new soil over time.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.1-5 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Growth Substrate:** other
- **Season:** Year-round

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** Nostoc Cyanobacterium (*Nostoc commune*) — Its tiny partner produces food and nitrogen.
- **Eats:** Green Springtail (*Isotoma viridis*) — Grazes on its surfaces, consuming small fragments.
- **Eats:** Lichen Moth (*Parixus scutulatus*) — Its caterpillars munch on the lichen for sustenance.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Peacock Vinyl Lichen?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Peacock Vinyl Lichen?

0.1-5 cm

### Is Peacock Vinyl Lichen edible?

inedible

### Where is Peacock Vinyl Lichen usually found?

Found on tree bark and rocks in forests and coastal areas.

### What does Peacock Vinyl Lichen grow on?

other

### When is Peacock Vinyl Lichen in season?

Year-round

## Where to spot

- [Chemainus River Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chemainus-river-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Peacock Vinyl Lichen: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peacock-vinyl-lichen)