R. Fraley
Trait Powdery Shield
Parmeliopsis ambigua 		Hammered Shield
Parmelia sulcata 		Mealy Shadow
Phaeophyscia orbicularis 		Common Greenshield
Flavoparmelia caperata
Color Pale blue-gray to whitish Silvery gray Greenish-gray to brown-gray Pale green to yellow-green; bright when wet
Surface Texture Dusty, powder-coated; matte Deeply cracked, “hammered metal” Fine, grainy, slightly rough Softly wrinkled; smooth to slightly glossy
Lobe Shape Very small, rounded lobes Broad, firm lobes with sharp ridges Small lobes forming tight rosettes Broad, rounded lobes with wavy edges
Soredia / Reproduction Abundant soredia; powdery patches Elongated pseudocyphellae & isidia Granular soredia, darker toward edges Soredia along lobe margins and ridges
Growth Pattern Small scattered patches Large, heavy rosettes Compact circular rosettes Large, rounded foliose rosettes
Underside Pale or whitish Black; robust dark rhizines Brown to dark with short rhizines Black with pale veins; sparse rhizines
Common Substrate Bark (esp. conifers), occasionally rock Bark of hardwoods and conifers Hardwood bark; high sun tolerance Elm, maple, oak; prefers stable moisture
Field Notes Looks “frosted” or lightly dusted Hammered texture is very distinctive Often mixed with Candleflame Indicator of clean air; soft green tone

Collection

Hammered Shield and Candleflame Lichen on branch E21A1081 Hammered Shield and Candleflame Lichen on branch

Common Greenshield Lichen E21A6505 Common Greenshield Lichen

Star Rosette + Candleflame (with Powdery Shield) E21A8072-8081 Star Rosette + Candleflame (with Powdery Shield)

Candleflame with Powdery Shield and Mealy Shadow E21A8057 Candleflame with Powdery Shield and Mealy Shadow

Shared Bark – The Living Mosaic E21A8044 Shared Bark – The Living Mosaic

Lichen Ember Cluster E21A6511 Lichen Ember Cluster

Softfield Scatter E21A6562–67 Softfield Scatter