Rock gnome lichen

Rock gnome lichen (Gymnoderma lineare) is a squamulose lichen belonging to the reindeer moss family. It is found in the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians. Populations are only known to exist in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The lichen occur only in areas of high humidity, and are thus found either at high elevations, where there is frequent fog, or in deep river gorges. Because of its specialized habitat requirements and heavy collection for scientific purposes, the lichen has been listed as an endangered species since January 18th, 1995.