Plant Guide > Mosses and Lichens > Lichens > Genus Physcia

Genus Physcia

Genus PHYSCIA, Fries.

The vegetative portion (thallus) of the Genus Physcia is leaf like, star-like, or sometimes with narrowly linear divisions, beneath it has usual fibres of varying length; the generic name is from the Greek; a blister, evidently referring to the inflated appearance of the thallus in some species.

The fruiting portion (apothecia) are shield-shaped, with the surface often covered with a whitish powder.

The spores are elliptical, brown, two-celled in our species.

Physcia Leucomela Lichen