Trentepohlia aurea is a species of filamentous terrestrial green alga (singular of green algae) with a worldwide distribution. It grows on rocks, old walls and the trunks and branches of trees such as oaks and the Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) where the tree occurs in coastal Central California. The orange coloration results from carotenoid pigments in the algal cells.
The green algae include unicellular and colonial flagellates (a cell or organism with one or more whip-like appendages called flagella), most with two flagella per cell, as well as various colonial, coccoid and filamentous forms, and macroscopic, multicellular seaweeds. There are about 8,000 species of green algae. Many species live most of their lives as single cells, while other species form coenobia (colonies), long filaments, or highly differentiated macroscopic seaweeds.
Carotenoids, also called tetraterpenoids, are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria and fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins, carrots, corn, tomatoes, canaries, flamingos, and daffodils. Carotenoids can be produced from fats and other basic organic metabolic building blocks by all these organisms.
This cache is a camo gelato container, hidden behind the orange algae-covered branches. Good luck, and please re-hide carefully. Thanks to TufTofu for setting up the cache container! This may not be the easiest container to reach, but it's at eye level.
FTF gets a dollar and a "Winner" pin.
Congrats to wendyslife for the FTF!