Texosporium sancti-jacobi
Woven-spore Lichen

Found growing on soil, mainly on old root-clumps of Poa secunda (Sandberg's bluegrass). Typically species of lichens are widespread geographically and few are rare or endemic to one certain area- mainly because lichens reproduce by tiny structures like spores and soridia that can be transported easily by the wind. This species of Texosporium is different in that it is rare. It is only found in 15 areas in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. Unlike most lichens which tend to be generalists, it is dependent on organic material for a growing substrate, mainly growing on dead Poa secunda clumps or small mammal dung. It is mainly found at sagebrush sites that have not been disturbed for greater than 20 years or burned. This lichen in Idaho grows in the same areas and habitat as another very rare plant species- Lepidium papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass). Widespread habitat loss is responsible for the continuing rarity and possible future declines of both Texosporium sancti-jacobi and Lepidium papilliferum.