Xanthoria parietina #

Taxon #

Xanthoria parietina

Organization #

Teloschistaceae

Identification #

A bright yellow to bright orange rosette-forming lichen. Concave lobes help to separate from Rusavskia spp. Lobe tips rather spathulate compared to other species of the family in Alaska. Producing abundant apothecia with discs which are slightly darker than the thalli and with rims which are concolorous with the lighter thalli. Lacking soredia and isidia, helping to separate from sorediate species of Xanthomendoza. Xanthomendoza hasseana and X. montana are similar looking and share similar substrates but have lobes which are not so broad as in Xanthoria parietina.

Substrate #

Corticolous, saxicolous, human-made substrates including painted surfaces (CLH)

Chemical Tests #

upper surface: K+ purple, C-, KC-, Pd- (CLH)

Notes #

This lichen was found on planted trees in Anchorage and may exist in other populated areas of the state where it has been brought in on cultivated trees. It is not believed to be a component of the native lichen flora and as such is thought to be an introduced species in Alaska (Villumsen in pers. comm. with John Thayer and T. Sprib.). Coastal.

Photos #