Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield

Flavopunctelia soredica

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield (Flavopunctelia soredica) is a common foliose bark lichen with a pale yellow-green thallus, conspicuous white pseudocyphellae, and powdery soralia concentrated along lobe margins. It commonly forms loose rosettes or irregular patches on hardwoods and contributes to mixed-species bark mosaics.

For identification details and comparison with similar species, see the Flavopunctelia soredica Field Notes page.

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield — Close-up
Close-up emphasizing powdery lobe edges and foliose structure.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 2.5 s
E21A8161–8172

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield on Bark
With bright crustose associates.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 3.2 s
E21A8082–8092

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield — Detail
Marginal soralia and white speckling clearly visible.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 3.2 s
E21A8093–8107

Description

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield (Flavopunctelia soredica) is a foliose lichen with a pale yellow-green to gray-green thallus, abundant white pseudocyphellae, and powdery soralia typically concentrated along lobe margins. Lobes are broad and rounded, often forming loose rosettes or irregular patches on bark.

Identification

Key Features

Growth form: Foliose, loosely attached, irregular rosettes or patches
Color: Pale yellow-green to gray-green
Lobes: Broad, rounded, slightly overlapping
Pseudocyphellae: Abundant white speckling on the upper surface
Soralia: Powdery, white, typically margin-focused
Lower surface: Dark brown to black with simple rhizines

Distinguishing Notes

vs. Flavopunctelia flaventior: (notes as applicable)
vs. Powdery Shield: Powder-edged species shows strongly marginal soralia; Powdery Shield is more uniformly dusted.
vs. Common Greenshield (Flavoparmelia caperata): Common Greenshield is smoother and inflated, without white speckling.

Habitat & Ecology

Found primarily on hardwood bark (elm, maple, ash, oak) in well-lit trunks and branches across forests, parks, and urban areas. Tolerant of moderate air pollution and commonly part of mixed-species bark communities.

Photo Notes

Images show marginal soralia and distinctive pseudocyphellae that help separate Flavopunctelia soredica from superficially similar green foliose lichens.

References

Regional field guide
http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Fungi/
Flavopunctelia soredica — iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/ — layout: photo title: Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield description: Gallery images of Flavopunctelia soredica (Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield), photographed in Minnesota. tags: [lichen, Flavopunctelia soredica, speckled-greenshield, lichen-photography] —

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield

Flavopunctelia soredica

For identification details and comparison with similar species, see the Flavopunctelia soredica Field Notes page.

Description

Identification

Key Features

Growth form: Foliose, loosely attached, irregular rosettes or patches
Color: Pale yellow-green to gray-green
Lobes: Broad, rounded, slightly overlapping
Pseudocyphellae: Abundant white speckling on the upper surface
Soralia: Powdery, white, typically margin-focused
Lower surface: Dark brown to black with simple rhizines

Distinguishing Notes

vs. Flavopunctelia flaventior: (notes as applicable)
vs. Powdery Shield: Powder-edged species shows strongly marginal soralia; Powdery Shield is more uniformly dusted.
vs. Common Greenshield (Flavoparmelia caperata): Common Greenshield is smoother and inflated, without white speckling.

Habitat & Ecology

Photo Notes

Images show marginal soralia and distinctive pseudocyphellae that help separate Flavopunctelia soredica from superficially similar green foliose lichens.

References

Regional field guide
http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Fungi/
Flavopunctelia soredica — iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/ — layout: photo title: Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield description: Field observations and diagnostic features of powder-edged-speckled-greenshield sorediata (Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield) on hardwood bark in Minnesota. tags: [lichen, powder-edged-speckled-greenshield, sorediata, foliose, macro, minnesota] keywords: “powder-edged-speckled-greenshield sorediata, Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield, speckled greenshield lichen, foliose bark lichen, Minnesota lichens” —

Flavopunctelia soredica

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield (Flavopunctelia soredica) is a common foliose lichen of hardwood bark, recognized by its pale yellow-green thallus, distinct white speckling (pseudocyphellae), and powdery soralia concentrated along lobe margins. It often forms loose rosettes or irregular patches and is especially noticeable where the lobe edges appear dusted or frosted.

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield close-up Close-up emphasizing powdery lobe edges and foliose structure
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 2.5 s
E21A8161–8172

This species is widespread in eastern North America and frequently occurs alongside other bark lichens, creating mixed-species mosaics on mature trees.

Key Identification Features

Growth form: Foliose, loosely attached, forming irregular rosettes or patches
Color: Pale yellow-green to gray-green
Lobes: Broad, rounded, often slightly overlapping
Pseudocyphellae: Abundant, white, irregularly scattered across the upper surface
Soralia: Powdery, white to pale, typically edge-focused and sometimes extending inward
Lower surface: Dark brown to black with simple rhizines

Habitat & Ecology

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield is most often found on hardwood bark, including elm, maple, ash, and oak. It favors well-lit trunks and branches in forests, parks, and urban environments. Its tolerance of moderate air pollution allows it to persist in a wide range of settings.

Distinguishing Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield from Similar Species

vs. (*Flavopunctelia flaventior)
vs. Powdery Shield (Punctelia bolliana)
- F. sorediata has strongly marginal, powdery soralia.
- Powdery Shield tends to appear more uniformly dusty across the surface.
vs. American Starburst (Imshaugia placorodia)
- Starburst has larger, more angular lobes and lacks prominent marginal soralia.
- F. sorediata shows clearer speckling and edge powdering.

American Starburst Lobe Portrait
A close view showing dense black pycnidia, pale smooth lobes, and gently uplifted margins.

vs. Common Greenshield (Flavoparmelia caperata)
- Common Greenshield is smoother and more inflated, without white speckling.
- F. sorediata is flatter and visibly speckled.

Photo Notes

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield with bright crustose associates
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 3.2 s
E21A8082–8092

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield detail Marginal soralia and white speckling clearly visible
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 3.2 s
E21A8093–8107

Field Notes

Powder-edged Speckled Greenshield is often misidentified as other green foliose lichens at a glance. Careful attention to white speckling and edge-focused powdery soralia provides a reliable identification without chemical tests.