Crystal Scale
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Ellura
Polka Dot Limestone
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Blushing Scale (Psora decipiens)Class: Fungi (Fungi) - Sac Fungi (Ascomycota) - Lichenised Fungi (Lecanoromycetes)
Order: Lichens (Lecanorales)
Family: Lichen (Psoraceae)     iNaturalist Observation
Species: Blushing Scale (Psora decipiens)
This Photo:     
Other name: Salmon Flakes

Thank you (LifeIsAmazing ) & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

General Species Information:
Found on Ellura (in the Murray Mallee, SA), the Riverland and elsewhere
There is another very similar to this, Psora crenata.
Dr. Max Mallen-Cooper said that Psora crenata has to be:
1) a highly concave-inwards shape in mature squamules and even the small young ones have to show some sign of starting to concave inwards like a crater,
2) margins appear bulgey and folded back in on itself due to concave crater-like shape,
3) generally larger than Psora decipiens, at least for the mature squamules (but you can get some large P. decipiens occassionally),
4) Psora crenata does not extend as far into the dry parts of the arid zone as Psora decipiens, and is possibly only found in South Australia or near the border with VIC/NSW

Copyright © 2012-2024 Brett & Marie Smith. All Rights Reserved. Photographed 05-Jun-2012
This species is an Australian Native Species, not listed in the SA Murray Mallee Survey of 2010.