The state lichen is the Lace Lichen (or Menzies' Cartilage Lichen) (Ramalina menziesii Taylor) and it is the only lichen that has net-like branches. This abundant and fast growing lichen is conspicuous especially in stands of deciduous blue oak in winter. In Brodos 1998 "Lichens of North America" (the bible for lichenologists) there are 44 species of Ramalina listed for N.A. Lace lichen is a long pendant epiphyte (a plant the derives moisture and nutrients from the air) typically on oaks ranging up and down the west coast from California to B.C.
It is considered a valuable range forage being highly palatable to sheep and deer. Several birds species such as bushtits, blue-gray gnatcatchers, Hutton's vireos, house finches, and Bullock's orioles commonly use lace lichen as a nest-building material. Historically, the Native American Pomos used Ramalina for baby diaper material and other sanitary purposes.
The UC Hopland Research & Extension Center herbarium holds the most extensive collection of lichens from the region adding significantly to our knowledge of California's lichen diversity. (Text by Kerry Heise - former HREC botanist)
