ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > LECANORALES > Parmeliaceae

Genus Punctelia, meaning 'dotted' from the shape and positioning of the pseudocyphellae

Common name:            Members of the genus collectively known as 'speckled shield lichens'

Synonym:                    Parmelia ulophylla

Habitat:                          Open woodland, wayside trees

Substrata:                     Bark

Growth forms:              Corticolous

Thallus:                  Foliose

Apothecia:                    Lecanorine, but unknown

BLS identity rating:        Graded 2/5 (visual identification possible with care)

Foliose thallus typically rosette-forming, growing to around 3-6cm dia., occasionally up to 10cm; closely appressed, albeit slightly upcurved around the margins; lobes 3-7mm wide with rounded, but irregular margins, generally flat, but usually much contorted towards the centre.

Upper surface quite dark, slightly shiny in the centre, but otherwise matt; greyish green when moist to brownish grey when dry; tiny, fleck-like pseudocyphellae, usually sparce and more or less limited to the centre of the young outer lobes, sometimes absent; the extreme edge of the lobes are often brownish with a feint white frosting; soralia always present, primarily marginal along secondary lobes; soredia farinose to granular; underside creamy white to pale brown; rhizines dense, sometimes clumped, but not extending to the margin.

Apothecia unknown; pycnidia rare, laminal, immersed, brown.

Punctelia jeckeri is a relatively widespread species across southern Britain, but far less frequently encountered in Wales and further north. Whilst it occurs in similar habitats to Punctelia subrudecta, it is more likely to be found on fairly acidic, free-standing trees, particularly oaks and birches.

The photos featured below were checked by an experience lichenologist.