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Phlyctis argena (Spreng.) Flotow

Whitewash lichen, blemished lichen

KingdomFungiMushrooms, lichens, gel fungi, yeasts, and molds; also called eukaryotes
DivisionAscomycotaSac fungi
SubdivisionPezizomycotinaSac fungi with filaments
ClassLecanoromycetes“Lichenized” fungi
OrderLecanoralesMostly lichen-forming fungi
FamilyPhlyctidaceae
GenusPhlyctis
Speciesargena

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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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Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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

Phlyctis argena (whitewash lichen, blemished lichen)

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