Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale
Common Greenshield Lichen
Flavoparmelia caperata is a light yellow-green foliose lichen of moderate to large size that grows on bark. It resembles Flavopunctelia soredica, but F. soredica has larger lobes with a somewhat darker green color. Flavopunctelia soredica shows a bright red color in the medulla for about 3 seconds in 7.5% sodium hypochorite (bleach), while Flavoparmelia caperata does not react with a color change. Both are usually loaded with soredia. These lichens are both commonly found on trees at middle elevation in our area and are easily confused. The color change is the best way to distinguish the two unequivocally.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Flavoparmelia caperata, growing on gray oak, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, October 4, 2022
Flavoparmelia caperata, closeup, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, October 4, 2022
Flavoparmelia caperata, detail of soralia, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, October 4, 2022
Flavoparmelia caperata, undersurface, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, October 4, 2022
Back to the Index
