Powdery Sunburst
Xanthomendoza ulophyllodes
Powdery Sunburst is a vivid yellow to orange foliose lichen that stands apart from other Minnesota sunbursts by its thicker thallus and firm attachment to bark via true rhizines. Colonies often appear more three-dimensional and cohesive, forming bold patches that can dominate sections of a tree trunk.
For identification details and comparison with other sunburst lichens, see the Field Notes section Xanthomedoza ulophyllodes.
Golden Micro-Architecture
Tiny curled lobes forming a dense, sunlit architecture across the bark’s irregular surface.
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
E21A8111A • Size: 1241×1862
Barkfire Spread
An expanding colony where sunlight, moisture, and bark structure anchor and shape growth.
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
E21A8109–8136 • Size: 3854×5781
This image shows a mature colony across Northern Red Oak bark, with central lemon-yellow lobes grading to deeper orange margins, where powdery soredia and firm rhizinate attachment support outward growth.