vs Smooth Map Lichen

Rhizocarpon richardii compared with Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Key Differences

• is Least Concern while Smooth Map Lichen is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Smooth Map Lichen
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order same	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family same	Rhizocarpaceae	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus same	Rhizocarpon	Rhizocarpon
Species	Rhizocarpon richardii	Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Evolutionary Relationship

and Smooth Map Lichen share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Rhizocarpon.

Conservation Status

LC — Least Concern

Smooth Map Lichen

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Smooth Map Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Smooth Map Lichen

Habitat

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

Range

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

Rhizocarpon richardii is a crustose lichen that forms tightly adhered patches on siliceous rocks, typically displaying a pale greenish-grey to yellowish thallus divided by a dark prothallus. It inhabits exposed rocky outcrops, cliff faces, and boulders in montane and alpine zones across Europe and beyond. This saxicolous species is highly sensitive to atmospheric pollution.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States