Plant Guide > Mosses and Lichens > Lichens > Genus Sticta > Sticta Pulmonaria Lichen

Sticta Pulmonaria Lichen

Sticta pulmonaria (L.), Ach.

Habit and habitat.-On rocks and trees.

Vegetative organs (thalus).-Leaf-like, leathery; tawny or olive, loosely attached to the surface which it grows, lobes large, entire, with rounded sinuses; upper surface netted and deeply pitted; under surface pale to white with rounded prominences outlined with slender hairs. Often bordered with little white grains (soredia).

Fruiting organs (apothecia).-Not very common sessile on the margin of the lobes.

Name.-The specific name pulmonaria, lung, refers to the resemblance the under surface has to the surface of a lung.