General:
Common Name: The Shadow Lichens. Alludes to the dark colour of the upper surface of most species. Small to medium stratified foliose lichens, corticate above and below, isidiate or sorediate or not, lobes closely appressed to semi-erect, elongate-linear to elongate (rarely short), averaging to 0.2–1.5 (–3) mm wide, thin. Upper surface usually brownish, K- (atranorin absent), dull, lacking pruina and white-spotting. Lower surface dark brown to black, occasionally pale, bearing scattered, short, simple rhizines. Medulla white (ours). Photobiont green.
Apothecia located over upper surface, averaging to 1–2.5 mm across, rim occasionally bearing short colourless hairs, disc dark; spores 2-celled, ellipsoid to spindle-shaped, brown, 8 per ascus.
Over rock, bark, moss and other substrates.
Notes: Of the 19 species of Phaeophyscia reported for North America, ten are known to occur in B.C. Phaeophyscia was formerly treated within Physcia.

Species description:
Lobes averaging to more than 2 mm wide; upper surface usually distinctly concave at lobe tips; rhizines strongly projecting beyond lobe tips; intermontane; rare AND
Soredia/isidia restricted to lobe margins

Comments:
Two subspecies appear to be present in B.C.: ssp. limbata Poelt and ssp. hispidula

Reactions:
All spot tests negative.

Contents:
No lichen substances reported.

Source:  Lichens of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration By:  Trevor Goward

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Physcia hispidula (Ach.) Frey
Physcia setosa (Ach.) Nyl.