Plant Guide > Mosses and Lichens > Lichens > Genus Parmelia > Parmelia Physodes Lichen

Parmelia Physodes Lichen

Parmelia physodes, (L.) Ach.

Habit and habitat.-Common on dead limbs of pines and hemlocks, lightly attached to its support. When it completely encircles the smaller twigs the tree has a particularly attractive appearance.

Vegetative organs (thallus).-Gray-green above with finely cut, inflated lobes, usually overlapping; black beneath except at the margins where it is smooth and brown.

Fruiting organs (apothecia). -Large shallow cups; reddishbrown with entire margins.

Name.-The specific name physodes is from the Greek; bellows and like, and refers to the inflated character of the lobes.