Scaly Pelt Lichen

Appearance

Peltigera praetextata has flat lobes up to 5cm long, and often forms circular growth patterns. It is dark green when wet, often with a reddish centre, and greyish when dry. It is tomentous, or covered with fine hairs. It does not reproduce vegetatively using isidia or soredia like most lichens, but using phyllidia. It is often fertile as well, with round to saddle-shaped red apothecial discs.

Distribution

World distribution: temperate and boreal regions of North America, Europe and Asia Sonoran distribution: Arizona, southern California, Baja California Sur, and Chihuahua.

Habitat

Although often found over moss or tree bark, P. praetextata may also be found on bare soil. It is common throughout temperate and boreal ecosystems.