elegant sunburst lichen

Xanthoria elegans, is a lichenized species of fungus in the genus Xanthoria, family Teloschistaceae.

It is recognized by its bright orange or red pigmentation. It was one of the first lichens to be used for the rock-face dating method known as lichenometry.

The thallus of this lichen is described as foliose, having the aspect of leaves, although the central portions of the thallus may appear nearly crustose. It is small, typically less than 5 cm wide, with lobes less than 2 mm broad, appressed to loosely appressed. The upper surface is some shade of orange while the lower surface is white, corticate, with short, sparse hapters. The vegetative propagules called soredia and isidia are absent, although apothecia are common.