Powdered Speckled Shield Lichen

Punctelia subrudecta is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Originally described in 1886 as Parmelia subrudecta, it was transferred to the genus Punctelia in 1982. For much of the twentieth century, North American specimens were misidentified as this species, until molecular phylogenetics studies in 2010 revealed that they represented three distinct species, restricting the true P. subrudecta to Old World populations. The lichen forms loosely attached rosettes with narrow, pale grey-green lobes and is distinguished by its pale underside, fine powdery reproductive structures (soredia), and distinctive hook-shaped conidia.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Powdered 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 borreri
• Punctelia caseana
• Punctelia perreticulata
• Crespoa crozalsiana
• Punctelia jeckeri

Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Ascomycota

Class

Lecanoromycetes

Order

Lecanorales

Family

Parmeliaceae

Genus

Punctelia

Species

Punctelia subrudecta

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