Bryophyte-Lichen Identification 10X Loupe

Prof. Kirsten Fisher at Cal. State in LA ran a workshop where she & colleagues studied lichens and mosses in situ using our 10X 50mm folding magnifier. Brytophytes are non-vascular plants that include the liverworts, hornworts and mosses. In Prof. Fisher's words: "We didn't want to collect anything or disturb the crusts, so the large lenses were perfect for non-destructive observations." In particular, the ecophysiology & desiccation tolerance of desert mosses in the genus Syntrichia. They also useful in examining translucent quartz pebbles that shade bryophytes.

Lichens are identified largely by examining their thalluses, the main vegetative body similar to leaves in plants. This 10X loupe is more than adequate for distinguishing between the major growth forms: foliose (leaf-like and lobed), fruticose (bushy or branching), crustose (tightly adherent), and squamulose (scaly or plate-like).

Magnification reveals key diagnostic features such as soredia and isidia as well as apothecia and perithecia. Surface textures, margins, and attachment structures like rhizines can also be observed, all of which contribute to accurate identification at the genus or even species level in the field.