Common iNat suggested identification problems

One of the most commonly identified lichens in Florida used to be Usnea hirta, which is a northern species. I worked through 400+ incorrect identifications, and most were Usnea strigosa or Ramalina.

Another commonly misidentified lichen is Common Greenshield Lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata). This species does not occur in Florida, yet there are currently over 500 observations identified as this in Florida. It's the fourth most common species identified in Florida on iNat! Many green lichens are identified by iNat CV as Flavoparmelia, which is common in regions outside of Florida.

Photo © Don Hunter, Banks Co., Ga., 22 Sept. 2017 from Georgia Lichen Atlas

Entry from Georgia Lichen Atlas
Entry from Lichen Portal which has a few mis-identified herbarium specimens from Florida.

Many of these are Parmotrema, which have wide lobes, apothecia, soredia, and/or isidia, and the edges are not attached or adnate against bark. Some with smaller lobes may be Parmeliopsis, Hypotrachyna, Myelochroa, Canoparmelia, or members of Physciaceae. Unfortunately most of the observations are poor photos taken at distance that cannot be identified to any genus let alone species.

Some similar taxa that occur in Florida:
Parmotrema tinctorum

Photo © Don Hunter, Berrien Co., Ga., 8 March 2014 from Georgia Lichen Atlas

Canoparmelia caroliniana

Photo © Don Hunter, Pike Co., Ga., 13 October 2015 from Georgia Lichen Atlas

Parmeliopsis subambigua

Photo © Don Hunter, Troup Co., Ga., 11 May 2014 from Georgia Lichen Atlas

Hypotrachyna pustulifera

Photo © Don Hunter, Berrien Co., Ga., 8 Mar. 2014 from Georgia Lichen Atlas

Physcia americana

Photo © Don Hunter, Tift Co., Ga., 9 Mar. 2014 from Georgia Lichen Atlas

Posted on January 8, 2023 06:25 PM by stevecollins