Remarkable lichens from the Sultanate of Oman

Information of the lichen flora of Oman is as yet fragmentary and incomplete. Of the approximately 230 species so far recorded from the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra, only 36 species are fully identified from the Sultanate of Oman. The majority of the lichens are distributed in three ecogeographical regions. These are: (1) the higher altitudes of the northern mountains, (2) the fog-affected eastern region of central Oman and the eastern islands, and (3) the fog-affected escarpment woodlands of southern Oman. All three growth-forms viz. crustose, foliose and fruticose Lichens are found in Oman and occur on tree-bark, soil, rocks and stones. In general, fruticose and foliose Lichens are present on the exposed, sea-facing habitats, whilst crustose lichens occur in all lichen habitats.