''Ramalina leptocarpha'', also known as the western strap lichen, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of cartilage lichen found in Oregon, California, and Baja California. The range of this species extends from the coast as far inland as the

Sierra Nevada The Sierra Nevada ( ) is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primari ...

mountain range. ''R. leptocarpha'' often grows in

epiphytic An epiphyte is a plant or plant-like organism that grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphyt ...

association with '' Ramalina menziesii''. '' Trebouxia decolorans'' is its primary algal

photobiont A lichen ( , ) is a hybrid colony of algae or cyanobacteria living symbiotically among filaments of multiple fungus species, along with yeasts and bacteria embedded in the cortex or "skin", in a mutualistic relationship.

. This species was first described in 1858 by

Edward Tuckerman Edward Tuckerman (December 7, 1817, in Boston, Massachusetts – March 15, 1886) was an American botanist and professor who made significant contributions to the study of lichens and other alpine plants. He was a founding member of the Natural H ...

from a collection made in

Monterey, California Monterey ( ; ) is a city situated on the southern edge of Monterey Bay, on the Central Coast (California), Central Coast of California. Located in Monterey County, California, Monterey County, the city occupies a land area of and recorded a popu ...

.Tuckerman, E. 1858: Supplement to an enumeration of North American and some other lichens. American Journal of Science, and Arts. Series 2, 25: 422–430. page 423 URL=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/27560448

References

leptocarpha Lichen species Taxa named by Edward Tuckerman Fungi described in 1858 {{lichen-stub