Fauna
Fungus

Powdered Ruffle Lichen

Parmotrema hypotropum

Also known as Powdered Loop Lichen, Ruffled Shield Lichen

Powdered ruffle lichen spreads pale grey-green, papery lobes across hardwood bark and sunlit branches throughout humid temperate forests. Delicate dark cilia fringe its ruffled margins, while fine flour-like soredia cluster along the edges to drive vegetative reproduction. A bright white underside fading to dark brown near the center helps distinguish it from look-alike shield lichens.

LichenEpiphyticFoliose
Powdered Ruffle Lichen reference1 / 7
(c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAtmospheric dust, Rainwater minerals, Photosynthetic sugars
Predators
  • Land snails
  • Slugs
  • Oribatid mites
ThreatsAir pollution, heavy acid rain, and forest clearance
HabitatsHardwood tree bark, canopy branches, and exposed rocks
Life span30–100+ years
Classification
  1. OrderLecanorales
  2. FamilyParmeliaceae
  3. GenusParmotrema
  4. SpeciesParmotrema hypotropum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many wild fungi and lichens have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild specimens based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Inspect margins: Use a hand lens to see the fine black hair-like cilia along lobe edges.
  • Chemical test: Spot-test the thallus with potassium hydroxide for rapid species confirmation.
  • Look overhead: Search fallen branches after storms to inspect canopy-dwelling specimens.
Related species
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