Structure and Appearance
The Latin name 'Ramas' means branch. This genus is a shrubby or fruticose group with erect or pendulous thalli. The branches are flattened and rather stiff. Colour varies from pale green though yellow-grey to white-grey. Apothecia are frequent and soralia may be present. Apothecia are usually concave and often pruinose. R. fraxinea branches have a very distinctive shape, being widest toward the middle (as much as 4.5 cm in some specimens) and tapering at both the point of attachment and toward the tip (to about 1 cm). The thallus is green-grey in colour, pendent and may be as long as 10 cm. It has the overall appearance of being coarsely tufted, individual branches showing a channelled, wrinkled appearance. The branches may have a twist or turn to them. The apothecia are cup-like and convex and are found both along the edges of the branches and on the surface or lamina.
The Ramalina's are also known as 'Bush', 'Strap', or 'Gristle' lichens. They always growing upside-down, and this plant looks like seaweed nailed to a tree.
It has a scientific symbol of 'RAFR' and an ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) serial of 190870.
Read more about this topic: Ramalina Fraxinea
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