Phlyctis argena (Spreng.) Flotow

Whitewash lichen, blemished lichen

About plant names...

I cannot find a range map for this lichen.

Identification: The name "whitewash lichen" is certainly fitting—this looks like dull white paint. It occurs in a thin layer (crustose) on tree bark (corticolous), on many different deciduous and some cone-bearing trees, in both open and sheltered conditions. It is found on red maple and cedar, for example. It does not have any apothecia (fancy lichen talk for fruiting bodies).

Online References:

Stephen Sharnoff Photography

The Stridvall Family Domain

Alan Silverside's Lichen Pages on LastDragon.org

The Stridvall Family Domain

References:

Walewski, Joe, Lichens of the North Woods, Kollath+Stensaas Publishing, 2007, p. 103

12/13/2011 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3 × 4½″ (7.9 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

5/2/2023 · Brunswick Town Commons, Brunswick, Maine

4/3/2010 · Birch Point Beach State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 1¾ × 1¼″ (4.7 × 3.1 cm) ID is uncertain

12/13/2011 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

Phlyctis argena description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 May 2023.

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4/14/2015 · Pinelands, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm)

12/13/2011 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

1/1/2012 · Big Tree Trail • Tudor Richards Natural History and Forest Trail, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm) ID is uncertain

9/17/2016 · Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine

5/2/2023 · Brunswick Town Commons, Brunswick, Maine

11/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3 × 4½″ (7.9 × 11 cm)

9/17/2016 · Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine