Rimose

Rimose is an adjective used to describe a surface that is cracked or fissured.[1] The term is often used in describing crustose lichens.[1] A rimose surface of a lichen is sometimes contrasted to the surface being areolate.[1] Areolate is an extreme form of being rimose, where the cracks or fissures are so deep that they create island-like pieces called areoles, which look the "islands" of mud on the surface of a dry lake bed.[1] Rimose and areolate are contrasted with being verrucose, or "warty".[1] Verrucose surfaces have warty bumps which are distinct, but not separated by cracks.[1]

References

1. Lichen Glossary, Australian Botanic Garden Archived 2014-12-06 at the Wayback Machine