February 6, 2026
Rock-shield Lichen (Xanthoparmelia), found growing on rocks in sunny, open areas. Slowly breaking down the bare rocks they are growing on with acids they secrete, turning the rock surface to soil.
If a good number of these lichens are found, it is an indication of good air quality. They get their nutrients directly through the air and many can’t live in high levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen, dying off if that air pollution is too high.
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2 responses to “A Rock-Shield Lichen”
Wow, what an interesting bit of information. I see these all the time and never realized that the rocks are turning to soil. Nature definitely knows what it’s doing. Hope you are doing well. Spring is right around the corner!
Hi Diane! It is so fun to discover things in nature that I never knew before. I’m glad I can share my discoveries with you. So very much to learn. Ah spring! Seems it is so far behind. I’ve been looking through my photos and seeing pictures of Daffodills, Helebores, Snowdrops, and Winter Aconite blooming in past years right about now. I’ll have to check and see if the snowcrete and melted from their spots in the soil by now!
So very glad you read my posts!
Bren