Common Greenshield Lichen and Moss on Bark
Scientific Name: Flavoparmelia caperata
Category: plant
Brief Description
A close-up photograph of tree bark covered with crustose and foliose lichens (such as Flavoparmelia caperata) and patches of green bryophyte moss.
Characteristics
Features pale greenish-grey to yellowish-green leafy (foliose) thalli flattened against dark, rugged tree bark, interspersed with bright green patches of moss.
Habitat
Found on the bark of various hardwood trees in woodlands, forests, and urban parks.
When to Find It
Visible year-round, appearing more vibrant and bright green during wet or humid weather.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Lichens serve as sensitive bioindicators of air quality, provide nesting material for birds, and contribute to weathering rocks and bark.
Easily Confused With
Other foliose lichens like Physcia or Parmelia species; distinguished by color and lobe structure.
Observation Tips
Look closely at the northern or shadier sides of tree trunks where moisture lingers.
Interesting Facts
A lichen is not a single organism, but a stable symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium.