''Flavoparmelia caperata'', the common greenshield lichen, is a

foliose lichen Foliose lichen is one of the morphological classes of lichens, which are complex organisms that arise from the symbiotic relationship between fungi and a photosynthetic partner, typically algae. This partnership allows lichen to live in diverse ...

that grows on the bark of trees, and occasionally on rock.

Identification

''Flavoparmelia caperata'' is a medium to large foliose

lichen A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.cortex Cortex or cortical may refer to: Biology * Cortex (anatomy), the outermost layer of an organ ** Cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the vertebrate cerebrum, part of which is the ''forebrain'' *** Motor cortex, the regions of the cerebral cortex i ...

when dry. The rounded lobes, measuring wide, usually have patches of granular

soredia Soredia are common reproductive structures of lichens. Lichens reproduce asexually by employing simple fragmentation and production of soredia and isidia. Soredia are powdery propagules composed of fungal hyphae wrapped around cyanobacteria or ...

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;

rhizoid Rhizoids are protuberances that extend from the lower epidermal cells of bryophytes and algae. They are similar in structure and function to the root hairs of vascular land plants. Similar structures are formed by some fungi. Rhizoids may be unic ...

s attached to the lower surface are black and unbranched.

Similar species

The very similar '' Flavoparmelia baltimorensis'' grows mainly on rock and has globose, pustular outgrowths (somewhat similar to

isidia An isidium is a vegetative reproductive structure present in some lichens. Isidia are outgrowths of the thallus surface, and are corticated (i.e., containing the outermost layer of the thallus), usually with a columnar structure, and consisting o ...

) on the upper surface of the lobes, but does not produce granular

References

*Recent Literature on Lichens and Mattick's Literature Search

*USDA Plants Database (''Flavoparmelia caperata'')

*Index Fungorum (''Flavoparmelia caperata'')

*Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven, 795 pages

*Flenniken, D. G. 1999. The Macrolichens In West Virginia. Published by the author: Don Flenniken, 2273 Blachleyville Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691

*Hale, M.E., Jr. 1986. ''Flavoparmelia'', a new genus in the lichen family Parmeliaceae (Ascomycotina). Mycotaxon 25: 603–605. *Purvis, O. W., B. J. Coppins, D. L. Hawksworth, P. W. James & D. M. Moore. 1992. The lichen flora of Great Britain and Ireland. The British Lichen Society, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.

External links

Lichens described in 1753 Lichen species Lichens of Europe Lichens of North America Parmeliaceae Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Parmeliaceae-stub