E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

General:
Common Name: The Sunshine Lichens. Reflects the bright yellow coloration of the species.
Medium stratified foliose lichens (ours), corticate above and below, sorediate or not, lobes loosely appressed to loosely attached, somewhat elongate, averaging to 2–7 (–10) mm wide, moderately thick, sometimes bearing protruberant marginal (or occasionally laminal) pycnidia. Upper surface yellowish or yellowish green; lower surface coloured alike with upper surface, except dark toward central portions, sparse rhizines. Medulla yellow. Photobiont green.
Apothecia located near lobe margins and over upper surface, disc brown; spores simple, more or less spherical, colourless, 8 per ascus.
Notes: Vulpicida was formerly treated within Cetraria; see the descriptions in that genus for points of distinction with similar species.

Species description:
Soredia absent AND
Over bark; apothecia often present; at lower elevations

Reactions:
All spot tests negative.

Contents:
Pinastric, usnic and vulpinic acids and an unknown fatty acid.