SafePlants

Xanthoria parietina: Common Orange Lichen

Xanthoria parietina, a foliose lichen, is also known by several common names including common orange lichen, yellow scale, maritime sunburst lichen, orange lichen, and orange wall lichen.

Considerations for Pets

• This lichen grows on rocks, concrete, and trees, sometimes near cattle farms, so pets exploring outdoors might encounter it.
• Some lichens can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool, indicating the presence of potentially bioactive compounds.

Considerations for Children

• Xanthoria parietina grows on rocks, concrete, and trees, so children exploring outdoors might encounter it.
• The bright colors of lichens, like Xanthoria parietina, might attract the attention of children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Xanthoria parietina
• Common Names: Common orange lichen, yellow scale, maritime sunburst lichen, orange lichen, orange wall lichen, sunburst lichen
• Family: Teloschistaceae
• Genus: Xanthoria

Distribution and Habitat

• Xanthoria parietina has a wide distribution.
• It is commonly found on rocks, concrete, and trees.
• Often prolific in coastal areas and may be found in mountainous regions.
• It can be found growing near cattle farms due to a preference for ammonia.

Morphological Characteristics

• Xanthoria parietina is a foliose (leafy) lichen.
• It forms large, rounded patches up to 10 cm across.
• It has wide, round-lipped marginal lobes.
• The thallus (body) is typically yellowish-green to golden-yellow or orange, and can appear grey in shaded conditions.
• It usually has apothecia (fruiting bodies) present. The fruiting structure has a dark orange disc that is surrounded by a lighter edge.

Quirky Facts

• The orange color of Xanthoria parietina is due to the production of the pigment parietin.
• Orange lichens may identify hunting perches of birds.

Ecological Role

• Orange lichen may be part of an orange lichen belt, which can be distinguished below white and grey lichens.
• It can grow in profusion in seabird colonies.
• The lichen can survive harsh weather conditions.
• Orange or yellow lichens that grow in shade may appear green, while grey lichens might favor rough, water-retentive, naturally alkaline bark.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Lichens, including Xanthoria parietina, are formed from a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga.

Potential Uses

• Pigments of colorful lichens can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers.
• Parietin, an orange pigment found in lichens like Xanthoria parietina, may have potential as an anti-cancer drug.

Further Information

• Katja Schulz marked "Common orange lichen 3" as trusted on the "Xanthoria parietina" page.
• Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens by Alan Orange is a guide to the use of chemicals for lichen identification.