# 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. - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 23 - **Habitat:** You can find it on rocky surfaces in forests and mountains. - **Also known as:** Smooth Lichen ![Smooth Rock Tripe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Umbilicaria_mammulata-2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ed Uebel, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Umbilicaria_mammulata-2.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Ascomycota - **Class:** Lecanoromycetes - **Order:** Umbilicariales - **Family:** Umbilicariaceae - **Genus:** Umbilicaria ## 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 - **Water Wizard:** Smooth Rock Tripe can dry out completely and rehydrate because of special cells that protect it from damage. - **Photosynthesis Partner:** Smooth Rock Tripe has an algal partner that helps them make food using sunlight and carbon dioxide. - **Rock Breaker:** Smooth Rock Tripe can slowly break down rocks because of acids they produce, helping to create new soil. - **Ice Survivor:** Smooth Rock Tripe has cryoprotective compounds that help them survive freezing temperatures in harsh environments. ## Measurements & details - **Edible:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Smooth Rock Tripe? 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. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Canton Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canton-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Catskill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/catskill-park) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [East Plymouth Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-plymouth-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Grundy Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grundy-lake-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Ice Age Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ice-age-trail) — Wisconsin, US · National Park - [New River Gorge National Park and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-river-gorge-national-park-and-preserve) — West Virginia, US · National Park [View all places to see Smooth Rock Tripe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/smooth-rock-tripe) ## 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*) --- Source: [Smooth Rock Tripe: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smooth-rock-tripe)