Press Release
Rare Lichen discovered after 140 years
An amazing find has been made by Charles David, President of La Société Guernesiaise, who whilst walking on a cliff path near Jerbourg noticed an unusual and orange-coloured lichen growing on a bush. When he looked at it closely he found it to be a species that was previously thought to be extinct. The last recorded sighting of this lichen in Guernsey was made by Jerseyman Larbalestier in 1867 and despite much searching has not been seen since. The species is extinct in the UK – it was last seen in Cornwall in 1998, and in Jersey – an orchard where it grew was cut down in 1966. This plant is so rare that it has no English name and bears the tongue twisting Latin name of Teloschistes chrysophthalmus. It can be recognised because of its orange colour and the spines around the dish shaped reproductive parts.
A lichen is formed from the mutually beneficial relationship between a fungus and an alga. Most people can recognise lichen – they look like shrubby outgrowths on trees or like paint on rocks or on a wall.
Charles David says:
“ This is an exciting and scientifically significant find and one that will attract considerable interest from botanists throughout the UK and elsewhere. This is such a rare species that I suspect that it may well encourage a number of visitors to the Island.”
(Photograph - Teloschistes chrysophthalmus – Taken by Charles David)
END OF PRESS RELEASE
______________________________________________________
NOTE FOR EDITORS
La Société Guernesiaise is Guernsey’s local research, natural history and conservation society. It was formed 125 years ago in 1882 and presently enjoys a membership of some 1800 people with a wide range of interests. The majority of the members live on the Island but a number live in the UK and some farther afield in places such as Australia and the USA.
La Société Guernesiaise works in partnership with the States of Guernsey Environment Department in maintaining the Guernsey Biological Records Centre.
CONTACTS (to send a message by email add "societe.org.gg" to the email address given)
Charles David – President, La Société Guernesiaise
Telephone: 01481 715799
E-mail: president@...
Philip Bush – Executive Officer, La Société Guernesiaise
Telephone: 07781 125093
E-Mail: philip.bush@...
Rare Lichen discovered after 140 yearsAn amazing find has been made by Charles David, President of La Société Guernesiaise, who whilst walking on a cliff path near Jerbourg noticed an unusual and orange-coloured lichen growing on a bush. When he looked at it closely he found it to be a species that was previously thought to be extinct. The last recorded sighting of this lichen in Guernsey was made by Jerseyman Larbalestier in 1867 and despite much searching has not been seen since. The species is extinct in the UK – it was last seen in Cornwall in 1998, and in Jersey – an orchard where it grew was cut down in 1966. This plant is so rare that it has no English name and bears the tongue twisting Latin name of Teloschistes chrysophthalmus. It can be recognised because of its orange colour and the spines around the dish shaped reproductive parts.
A lichen is formed from the mutually beneficial relationship between a fungus and an alga. Most people can recognise lichen – they look like shrubby outgrowths on trees or like paint on rocks or on a wall.
Charles David says:
“ This is an exciting and scientifically significant find and one that will attract considerable interest from botanists throughout the UK and elsewhere. This is such a rare species that I suspect that it may well encourage a number of visitors to the Island.”
END OF PRESS RELEASE
______________________________________________________
NOTE FOR EDITORS
La Société Guernesiaise is Guernsey’s local research, natural history and conservation society. It was formed 125 years ago in 1882 and presently enjoys a membership of some 1800 people with a wide range of interests. The majority of the members live on the Island but a number live in the UK and some farther afield in places such as Australia and the USA.
La Société Guernesiaise works in partnership with the States of Guernsey Environment Department in maintaining the Guernsey Biological Records Centre.
CONTACTS (to send a message by email add "societe.org.gg" to the email address given)
Charles David – President, La Société Guernesiaise
Telephone: 01481 715799
E-mail: president@...
Philip Bush – Executive Officer, La Société Guernesiaise
Telephone: 07781 125093
E-Mail: philip.bush@...
Candie Gardens, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1UG, Channel Islands.
Email: