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Pin-cushion Sunburst Lichen

Xanthoria polycarpa

Published on Project Noah
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44.1217, -72.5415

Field Notes

Description:

Apothecia: Bright orange disks. Parientin is a substance likely offering a form of sunscreen, especially from UV-B radiation. Look at the variety and beauty of the Lichen on picture two.

Habitat:

It is most often found growing on bark, especially twigs and branches of spruce, oak and fir.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
sarah in the woods
I was wondering about the sunscreen, but I bet it would make a good dye!
doreen.chambers.14
I assume all are useful to humans; but I don't know the specifics on this one. So beautiful though, I wonder if they used it in dyes for clothing in the past.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Lichens
Mission
Nonflowering Plants & Mushrooms of the NorthEastern US
Mission
Mission WILD
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Photographed
PublishedApril 13, 2014

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