vs Variegated Foam Lichen

Stereocaulon evolutum compared with Stereocaulon vesuvianum

Key Differences

• is Endangered while Variegated Foam Lichen is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Variegated Foam Lichen
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order same	Lecanorales (Lecanorales)	Lecanorales (Lecanorales)
Family same	Stereocaulaceae	Stereocaulaceae
Genus same	Stereocaulon	Stereocaulon
Species	Stereocaulon evolutum	Stereocaulon vesuvianum

Evolutionary Relationship

and Variegated Foam Lichen share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Stereocaulon.

Conservation Status

EN — Endangered

Variegated Foam Lichen

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Variegated Foam Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Variegated Foam Lichen

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Stereocaulon evolutum is a fruticose lichen in the family Stereocaulaceae, assessed as Endangered (EN). It forms erect, branched pseudopodetia with granular cephalodia containing nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial partners. Its endangered status reflects sensitivity to habitat disturbance and air quality degradation.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇪 Sweden