Synonyms: Gasparrinia pallescens, Lecanora pallescens, Lecanora pallida, Lecanora parella, Lichen pallescens, Ochrolechia parella, Parmelia pallescens, Parmelia parella, Patellaria pallescens, Pertusaria pallescens, Psora pallescens, Verrucaria pallescens.
Common name: saucer lichen.
Ochrolechia pallescens is a crustose lichen species characterized by a pale yellow to cream-colored thallus, often with a cracked or areolate surface. In East and Central Texas, it typically grows on bark, particularly of deciduous trees such as oak, elm, and maple, as well as on rocky outcrops. The species is relatively common in the region, found in a variety of habitats including forests, woodlands, and rocky slopes. Its apothecia are lecanorine, with a pale yellow to orange disc and a thalline margin.
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on bark of a hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 29, 2018
24805 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on bark of yaupon holly in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 30, 20184300 Culpepper Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on a stem of yaupon holly in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 30, 20184300 Culpepper Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens and Punctelia on oak bark in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 18, 2019
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 18, 2019
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on hackberry in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 23, 201923292 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on an oak twig in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2019Post Oak Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on yaupon(?) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, February 12, 20194208 Culpepper Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on a tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 27, 201923200 Park Rd, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on an oak twig in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2019Post Oak Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Warty lichen (Pertusaria) together with Ochrolechia pallescens and Haematomma persoonii in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 17, 2019
Pertusaria, Ochrolechia pallescens and Haematomma persoonii lichens on a branch of a small oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 17, 2019
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on a fallen oak twig in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 18, 2019Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on a branch of "Liberty Oak" in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923200 Park Rd, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on bark of hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Apothecia of saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on bark of hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens with apothecia on bark of hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on a fallen piece of tree bark on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 10, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Saucer lichen Ochrolechia pallescens on bark of a small honey mesquite tree when exposed to regular daylight as well as when illuminated by a 365 nm ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2024Post Oak Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United StatesObservations of Ochrolechia pallescens in East and Central Texas reveal that this lichen species is commonly found on various tree species, including hackberry, yaupon holly, oak, and honey mesquite. It grows on both bark and twigs, and can be found in different locations, such as Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Hensel Park, Lick Creek Park, and Sam Houston National Forest. The lichen is often found alone, but also co-occurs with other species like Punctelia, Pertusaria, and Haematomma persoonii. Apothecia, the fruiting bodies of the lichen, have been observed on hackberry tree bark. The lichen's appearance does not change significantly under UV-A blacklight illumination. These observations were made over several years, from 2018 to 2024, and demonstrate the widespread presence of Ochrolechia pallescens in East and Central Texas.
Mushroom Observer and Facebook for learning names of local mushrooms.
This web page was generated by a special script.
