Lichens of North Carolina
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NC Records

Punctelia rudecta (Ach.) Krog - Rough Speckled Shield Lichen


Image by Jason Hollinger
Image by Gary Perlmutter
Taxonomy
Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Lecanoromycetes Order: LecanoralesFamily: Parmeliaceae
MycoBank_number: 110980Taxonomic Reference: Nordic Journal of Botany 2 (3): 291 (1982)                                                                                 
Comments: Type specimen from Swain County, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Alors et al. 2016, PLoS ONE 11(2): e0146537).
Identification
Description: Thallus foliose, medium sized, to 8 cm; rosette-forming; lobes flat, linear to subirregular, spreading, 4-7 mm; upper surface bluish gray or pale blue-greenish, shiny, sometimes cracked; lobe edges rounded, tinged with brown; pseudocyphellae white, common, round to irregular or elongate, sometimes coalescing. Isidia occasional to frequent, short, smooth and corticate, simple to forked or coralloid, brown-tipped, often arising from pseudocyphellae and cortical cracks. Lower surface pale, white to flesh-colored or brownish; rhizines simple to forked, same color as the lower surface or white. Ascomata lecanorine apothecia, rare; pycnidia not seen. CHEMISTRY. Upper cortex K+ yellow, C-, (atronorin); medulla K-, C+ red (lecanoric acid).Technical Description: Lendemer, J.C. & N. Noell. (2018) Delmarva Lichens: An illustrated manual. Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Society 28: 1-386. Nash, T.H., B.D. Ryan, C. Gries & F. Bungartz (eds.) (2004) Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 2.
LichenPortal Account: Lichen Portal
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: This is among the most widely distributed lichens in North Carolina, found throughout the state.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
GBIF-Global Distribution
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Corticolous on trunks and branches of various trees, mostly hardwoods in shaded forests, rarely saxicolous on shaded rocks.
Observation Methods: Thalli can be observed on tree trunks or fallen limbs and branches.
Abundance/Frequency: This among the most abundant lichens on partially exposed trees.
Abundance/Frequency by province:
    Mountain >=4,000 ft.: Seldom
    Mountain <4,00 ft.: Occasional
    Piedmont: Regular
    Coastal Plain: Frequent
Frequency
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Punctelia rudecta - Rough Speckled Shield Lichen

Recorded by: Gary Perlmutter et al.
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Perlmutter
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brenda L Wichmann
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Perlmutter
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Perlmutter
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Perlmutter & Scott LaGreca
Durham Co.
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Granville Co.
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Harnett Co.
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Haywood Co.
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Moore Co.
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Randolph Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Perlmutter, Jason Hollinger & Scott LaGreca
Robeson Co.
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Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Elizabeth A. Brei
Union Co.
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Recorded by: Mark A. Basinger w/ Myra F. Basinger
Wilson Co.
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