Seaside Bone

Hypogymnia heterophylla

A lichen is an organism comprised of a fungus and an alga in close symbiotic association. The seaside bone lichen is limited to a narrow 10km strip on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. It grows on conifers in younger forest stands and may depend upon periodic fires, which limit ecosystems to early and intermediate stages of growth. The species overall reproductive success is good, and the known populations are in areas that don't present a threat of logging activity, including property belonging to the coast guard and department of defense.