SafePlants

Xanthoria parietina

Xanthoria parietina is a foliose lichen with a wide distribution and several common names.

Common Names:

• Common Orange Lichen
• Yellow Scale
• Maritime Sunburst Lichen
• Orange Wall Lichen
• Sunburst Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Genus: Xanthoria
• Family: Teloschistaceae

Distribution and Habitat:

• Xanthoria parietina has a wide distribution.
• It can be found on rocks, concrete, and trees, especially near cattle farms due to its preference for ammonia.
• It is also found in coastal regions, such as the coast of New Zealand and Humboldt Lagoons State Park, California.

Morphological Characteristics:

• It is a foliose lichen, meaning it is leafy.
• It forms large, rounded patches up to 10 cm across, with wide, round-lipped marginal lobes.
• The thallus (body) is yellowish-green to orange, and may appear grey in shade.

Quirky Facts:

• The orange color of Xanthoria parietina is due to the production of the pigment parietin.
• The pigment parietin, found in this lichen and also in rhubarb, may have potential as an anti-cancer drug.
• This lichen is highly tolerant and can identify hunting perches of birds.

Ecological Role:

• It can be found in an orange lichen belt below white and grey lichens.

Interactions with Other Organisms:

• Lichens are formed from a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga. The alga is contained within the hyphae of the fungus.
• It can be found growing with other lichens such as Caloplaca ignea and species of Acarospora.

Traditional Uses:

• The pigments of colorful lichens, including orange ones, can be extracted by boiling and used to dye wool and other fibers.

Further Information:

• Information on identifying lichens can be found in "Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens" by Alan Orange.