Ricasolia amplissima (Scop.) De Not.

Ricasolia amplissima is one of the rarest macrolichens in the Czech Republic. Only a few thalli growing on sycamores near Modrava in the Šumava Mts are currently known. It grows on the bark of older deciduous trees, mainly on well-lit stands, such as open forests or solitary trees. It requires high humidity and a stable microclimate. It is extremely sensitive to acid rain, eutrophication and intensive forest management. Its distribution in Europe is suboceanic, the lichen is abundant at the most humid places by the Atlantic Ocean and rarely it also occurs in more humid montane areas. In central Europe, the species is currently very rare. In the Czech Republic, it used to be recorded at various localities, which have, however, disappeared. Sometimes, its cyanomorph (without the green alga) is published under the name Dendriscocaulon umhausense.

Literature: Liška J., Dětinský R. & Palice Z. (1996): Importance of the Šumava Mts. for the biodiversity of lichens in the Czech Republic. – Silva Gabreta 1: 71–81.

Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Peltigerales → Lobariaceae → Ricasolia