# Common Greenshield Lichen (*flavoparmelia caperata*) The Common Greenshield Lichen is a bright green lichen that often grows on rocks and trees. It looks like a little green shield and helps make our air clean! - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Commonly found on tree bark, rocks, and soil in forests and urban areas. - **Also known as:** Flavoparmelia, Green Shield, Greenshield Lichen ![Common Greenshield Lichen](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Flavoparmelia_caperata_240112.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jason Hollinger, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flavoparmelia_caperata_240112.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Greenshield Lichen has a distinctive bright yellow-green to gray-green, shield-like thallus that can grow quite large. Its wrinkled surface often features powdery soredia near the lobe tips, giving it a somewhat bumpy texture. The edges are often slightly ruffled, setting it apart from flatter, smoother lichens. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Ascomycota - **Class:** Lecanoromycetes - **Order:** Lecanorales - **Family:** Parmeliaceae - **Genus:** Flavoparmelia ## Interesting facts - It produces tiny powdery bits called soredia to spread to new places! - Its tough, leathery texture helps it survive strong winds and harsh weather! - Lichens are amazing pioneers, often the first life to colonize bare rock! - This lichen can grow incredibly slowly, sometimes just a millimeter a year! ## Special abilities - **Air Filter:** Common Greenshield Lichen can soak up nutrients (and pollutants!) from the air, helping scientists understand air quality. - **Solar Chef:** Common Greenshield Lichen has a tiny algae chef inside that makes sugary food using sunlight, just like plants! - **Desert Survivor:** Common Greenshield Lichen can dry up completely when it's parched, then spring back to life when water returns. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 0.1-0.5 cm - **Edible:** inedible - **Growth Substrate:** wood - **Season:** Year-round ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Provides a food source for grazing slugs. - **Depends on:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Grows on the rough bark of oak trees. - **Depends on:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Attaches to maple tree trunks for support. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Greenshield Lichen? Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Common Greenshield Lichen? 0.1-0.5 cm ### Is Common Greenshield Lichen edible? inedible ### Where is Common Greenshield Lichen usually found? Commonly found on tree bark, rocks, and soil in forests and urban areas. ### What does Common Greenshield Lichen grow on? wood ### When is Common Greenshield Lichen in season? Year-round ## Where to spot - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Catskill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/catskill-park) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Fox Chase Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fox-chase-farm) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic Site - [Mystic River Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mystic-river-reservation) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Spy Pond Field](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/spy-pond-field) — Massachusetts, US · Park - [Canoe Landing Prairie State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canoe-landing-prairie-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park [View all places to see Common Greenshield Lichen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-greenshield-lichen) ## More Fungi - [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*) --- Source: [Common Greenshield Lichen: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-greenshield-lichen)