# Shield Lichens And Allies (*parmeliaceae*)

Shield lichens are fascinating organisms that help break down rocks and create soil. They come in many colors and can often be found growing on tree bark and rocks in forests.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Forests, rocky areas, and on tree bark.

![Shield Lichens And Allies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cetraria_nivalis.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cetraria_nivalis.jpg)

## Appearance

The Shield Lichens And Allies are typically flattened, broad, and leaf-like, adhering tightly to surfaces. They often appear grey-green, brown, or black, sometimes with distinct lobe-like structures at their edges, distinguishing them from crusty lichens.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Lecanoromycetes
- **Order:** Lecanorales
- **Family:** Parmeliaceae

## Interesting facts

- Reindeer and caribou rely on certain lichens for food, especially during harsh winters.
- Some shield lichens can live for over 1,000 years, growing incredibly slowly!
- They are so tough some lichens can survive in the harsh environment of outer space!
- They don't have roots; they absorb all their water and food directly from the air!

## Special abilities

- **Extreme Survivor:** Shield Lichens can dry completely and 'come back to life' later, surviving harsh, dry conditions.
- **Air Quality Monitor:** They absorb everything from the air, making them natural indicators of pollution levels.
- **Rock Dissolver:** These lichens can slowly break down rocks, helping to create new soil over centuries.
- **Teamwork Power:** Shield Lichens are actually two organisms, a fungus and an alga, working together for survival.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.5-5 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Growth Substrate:** other
- **Season:** Year-round

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** Fungal Partner (*Parmelia sulcata*) — The fungal component of a common shield lichen
- **Symbiotic with:** Algal Partner (*Trebouxia erici*) — A green alga that photosynthesizes within many lichens
- **Eaten by:** Reindeer or Caribou (*Rangifer tarandus*) — Specific lichens are a crucial food source for these large mammals
- **Parasitizes:** Parasitic Fungus (*Arthonia varians*) — A specific fungus that grows on and feeds on other lichens

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [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.

## 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 Shield Lichens And Allies?

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 Shield Lichens And Allies?

0.5-5 cm

### Is Shield Lichens And Allies edible?

inedible

### Where is Shield Lichens And Allies usually found?

Forests, rocky areas, and on tree bark.

### What does Shield Lichens And Allies grow on?

other

### When is Shield Lichens And Allies in season?

Year-round

## Where to spot

- [Clear Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clear-lake-park) — Florida, US · Park

## 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*)

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Source: [Shield Lichens And Allies: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shield-lichens-and-allies)