# Shield Lichens (*parmelia*)

Shield lichens look like tiny shields on trees and rocks! They come in many colors and help clean the air by absorbing pollutants.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Shield lichens can be found on tree bark, rocks, and soil in forests and urban areas.
- **Also known as:** Lecanora, Shield Fungus, Shield Lichen, Tree Lichens

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

Photo: James Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parmelia_sulcata_-_Lindsey.jpg)

## Appearance

The Shield Lichens have flat, leaf-like lobes, often forming circular patches that cling to bark or rocks. Their color varies from pale grey-green to olive or brownish, with a darker, sometimes velvety underside. They can be visually distinguished by their broad, rounded lobes compared to stringy or crusty lichens.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Lichens produce special acids that can slowly dissolve rocks, helping create new soil over centuries.
- Some ancient lichens have been estimated to be thousands of years old, making them Earth's oldest living things!
- Some cultures have traditionally used specific lichens to create vibrant natural dyes for fabrics.
- Tiny animals like mites and springtails often live safely within the cozy layers of lichens.

## Special abilities

- **Sunshine Maker:** Shield Lichens can create their own food using sunlight because the algae inside them convert light energy into sugars.
- **Super Survivor:** Shield Lichens can endure harsh climates, like droughts or extreme cold, because they can dry out and become dormant.
- **Air Quality Alert:** Shield Lichens can indicate air pollution levels because they absorb everything from the air, making them sensitive to toxins.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.1-0.5 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Growth Substrate:** other
- **Season:** Year-round
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Common Footman Moth (*Eilema complana*) — Larvae graze on lichen growth.
- **Eats:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails graze on lichen surfaces.
- **Shelter:** [White-eyed Vireo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-eyed-vireo) (*Vireo griseus*) — Uses lichen to camouflage and build nests.
- **Shelter:** Water Bear (*Milnesium tardigradum*) — Many species live protected within 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.
- [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 Shield Lichens?

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?

0.1-0.5 cm

### Is Shield Lichens edible?

inedible

### Where is Shield Lichens usually found?

Shield lichens can be found on tree bark, rocks, and soil in forests and urban areas.

### What does Shield Lichens grow on?

other

### When is Shield Lichens in season?

Year-round

### What color are Shield Lichens spores?

White

## Where to spot

- [Lockhart Beach Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lockhart-beach-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State 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: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shield-lichens)