Growth Patterns in Ramalina menziesii in California: Coastal vs. Inland Populations

The fruticose lichen Ramalina menziesii varies morphologically across its range in central, coastal California: The thallus is thin and filamentous near the ocean, net-like and coarser inland. We used a nondestructive sampling technique to estimate seasonal and annual linear growth of the inland form transplanted within an inland site and to a coastal site. Growth at the inland site was concentrated in thefall and winter months when precipitation occurred; growth at the coastal site was nearly constant through the first year of the study. Ramalina menziesiifrom the inland site grew significantly faster at the coast (38.7%/yr.) than inland (20.1%/yr.). Lichen from both sites was transplanted both within and between sites and biomass increase was measured destructively after 1 yr. Both morphs grew equally within the same site, and more rapidly at the coastal site. Annual growth rates were lower when estimated as biomass: Approximately 14%/yr. inland and 24%/yr. at the coast. Some genetic differences appeared to exist between morphological types, but their growth responses to the environment were plastic. Ramalina menziesii Tayl. is a fruticose lichen, characterized by a reticulate thallus, that dominates the epiphytic community of central coastal Califor- nia, often forming a dense, pendulous canopy. Its thallus morphology ranges from relatively coarse nets in sunny, inland areas to thin filaments in foggy,