Smooth Rock Tripe
ExploreFungi
Smooth Rock Tripe
umbilicaria mammulata
The Smooth Rock Tripe is a fascinating lichen that grows on rocks! Its smooth, leathery surface is fun to touch and explore.
Habitat: You can find it on rocky surfaces in forests and mountains.
Appearance
The Smooth Rock Tripe is a large, leathery lichen, ranging from olive-green to dark brown. Its surface is often wrinkled, resembling dry tripe. It attaches to rocks by a single central point, making it distinct from flat-growing lichens.
KingdomFungiPhylumAscomycotaClassLecanoromycetesOrderUmbilicarialesFamilyUmbilicariaceaeGenusUmbilicaria
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Astronauts study lichens like this to learn how life might survive on other planets!
It's so tough, it can survive being frozen solid or completely dried out for months!
Some chefs use it as a wilderness survival food, adding it to soups and stews!
This rock-dwelling organism isn't just one living thing, but two best friends!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Wizard
Smooth Rock Tripe can dry out completely and rehydrate because of special cells that protect it from damage.
Ability
Photosynthesis Partner
Smooth Rock Tripe has an algal partner that helps them make food using sunlight and carbon dioxide.
Ability
Rock Breaker
Smooth Rock Tripe can slowly break down rocks because of acids they produce, helping to create new soil.
Ability
Ice Survivor
Smooth Rock Tripe has cryoprotective compounds that help them survive freezing temperatures in harsh environments.
Measurements & details
- Edibility
- edible
- Growth Substrate
- other
- Season
- Year-round
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Green Alga
Trebouxia erici
Provides sugars through photosynthesis for the fungus.
eaten by
Caribou
Rangifer tarandus
A crucial winter food source for arctic animals.
parasitizes
Lichenicolous Fungus
Arthonia varians
Feeds on the tissues of this lichen host.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Smooth Lichen
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smooth Rock Tripe edible?
edible
Where is Smooth Rock Tripe usually found?
You can find it on rocky surfaces in forests and mountains.
What does Smooth Rock Tripe grow on?
other
When is Smooth Rock Tripe in season?
Year-round
What color are Smooth Rock Tripe spores?
White
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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