Rough speckled shield lichen

Punctelia rudecta, commonly known as the rough speckled shield or the speckleback lichen, is a North American species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. This species can be readily identified by the light color of the thallus underside, the relatively large lobes at the edges of the thallus, and the tiny white pores present on the top of the thallus that are characteristic of the genus Punctelia. The lichen is quite abundant and widespread in the eastern and southeastern United States, and is less common in Canada and Mexico. The lichen usually grows on bark, and less commonly on shaded rocks.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Rough speckled shield lichen being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Punctelia missouriensis
• Canoparmelia caroliniana
• Punctelia borreri
• Punctelia appalachensis
• Crespoa crozalsiana

Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Ascomycota

Class

Lecanoromycetes

Order

Lecanorales

Family

Parmeliaceae

Genus

Punctelia

Species

Punctelia rudecta

More species