[147] Flavoparmelia caperata, Greenshield Lichen
Introduction
Flavoparmelia caperata, (Common) Greenshield Lichen, is a common flat Lichen found on trees, rocks and walls.
There are about thirty species of Flavoparmelia, all called Greenshield Lichens.
Taxonomy
Kingdom – Fungi
Phylum – Ascomycota
Subphylum – Pezizomycotina
Class – Lecanoromycetes (Lichenized Fungi)
Subclass – Lecanoromycetidae (Mostly Lichen)
Order – Lecanorales (Mostly Lichen)
Family – Paemeliaceae (Bushy Lichens)
Subfamily – Parmelioideae
Genus – Flavoparmelia
Scientific Name – Flavoparmelia caperata
The photobiont is a species of Trebouxia.
Name
I can’t find the derivation of Parmelia, which is the type species for the large family Parmeliaceae. The Latin prefix flavo- means yellow. Caperata looks as if it could mean taken or captured.
Description
I won’t add much to what I said in [141] Oakmoss about Lichen, as Flavoparmelia comes in the same family. Greenshield Lichens are described as foliose Lichen. This means that they have a leafy appearance but I prefer the analogy of peeling paint.
Habitat
Flavoparmelia caperata is common and widespread in Europe and the USA and found in other countries. It is widespread over all of the British Isles apart from eastern Scotland and the northeast of England.
It occurs mostly on the trunks of deciduous trees
Other Notes
This is very common and the most common form of lichen to find on trees.
See also
You will have to wait until after Christmas for our final Lichen.
The Species of Britain 