Taxon Report

Sulcaria spiralifera (Brodo & D. Hawksw.) Myllys, Velmala & Goward

twisted horsehair lichen

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Sulcaria spiralifera, commonly known as twisted horsehair lichen, is a fruticose lichen (epiphytic) in the Parmeliaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Coastal dunes (SLO Co.), and North Coast coniferous forest (immediate coast), growing at elevations from 0 to 90 meters. Sulcaria spiralifera is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Sulcaria spiralifera (Brodo & D. Hawksw.) Myllys, Velmala & Goward
Common Name:	twisted horsehair lichen
Family:	Parmeliaceae
Element Code:	NLT0042560
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Bryoria pseudocapillaris Brodo & D. Hawksw. Bryoria spiralifera Brodo & D. Hawksw.

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	fruticose lichen (epiphytic)
Blooming Period:
Elevation:	0-90 (0-295)
General Habitats:	Coastal dunes, North Coast coniferous forest
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:	Usually on conifers.

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G3G4
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S
CRPR Changes:	changed from 1B.1 to 1B.2 on 2021-05-24 added to 1B.1 on 2014-02-28

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	18
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	17

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Del Norte (DNT), Humboldt (HUM), Mendocino (MEN), Monterey (MNT), San Luis Obispo (SLO), Sonoma (SON)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Annapolis (3812363), Cambria (3512151), Childs Hill (4112461), Crannell (4112411), Crescent City (4112472), Eureka (4012472), Monterey (3612158), Morro Bay South (3512037), Point Arena (3812386), Port San Luis (3512027), Rodgers Peak (4112421), Sister Rocks (4112462), Smith River (4112482), Stewarts Point (3812364), Trinidad (4112412), Tyee City (4012482)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	4
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	3	17 %
Development	1	5%
Improper burning regime	1	5%
Non-native plant impacts	1	5%
ORV activity	1	5%

Notes



Largest known population in CA is on the Samoa Peninsula in HUM Co. Possibly threatened by coastal development, air pollution, and climate change. Usually on Picea sitchensis, Pinus contorta var. contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies grandis, and Tsuga heterophylla. Includes Bryoria pseudocapillaris, which was previously CRPR 3.2. Similar to S. badia. See Bulletin of the California Lichen Society 15(1):4-6 (2008) for CALS Conservation Committee sponsorship, and The Lichenologist 46(6):737-752 (2014) for taxonomic treatment. CALS: Sulcaria spiralifera.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 31 January 2025].