Flavoparmelia caperata


Flavoparmelia caperata, the common greenshield lichen, is a medium to large foliose lichen that has a very distinctive pale yellow green upper cortex when dry. The rounded lobes, measuring wide, usually have patches of granular soredia arising from pustules. The lobes of the thallus may be smooth, but quite often have a wrinkled appearance especially in older specimens. The lower surface is black except for a brown margin; rhizoids attached to the lower surface are black and unbranched.

Habitat

On bark of trees, but occasionally on rock.

Similar species

The very similar Flavoparmelia baltimorensis grows mainly on rock and has globose, pustular outgrowths on the upper surface of the lobes, but does not produce granular soredia.

Lichen checklists containing ''Flavoparmelia caperata''