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Caloplaca citrina

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description Caloplaca citrina Overview

Caloplaca citrina is a crustose lichen with a bright yellow to orange thallus that can resemble the color of a lemon. It grows on alkaline surfaces, especially calcareous rock, limestone, mortar, and masonry, and is therefore frequently encountered on buildings and other structures in towns and cities. Because the thallus remains closely attached to its substrate, the species often appears as a thin colored crust rather than as leafy or upright growth.

help Caloplaca citrina FAQ

Why is Caloplaca citrina bright yellow?

Caloplaca citrina has a yellow to orange thallus that can resemble lemon-colored paint on stone. The color is especially conspicuous against pale limestone, mortar, and masonry.

Where does Caloplaca citrina grow?

It favors alkaline, calcium-rich surfaces such as limestone, calcareous rock, mortar, and building walls. That preference explains why it is commonly noticed on urban structures as well as natural rock.

Is Caloplaca citrina still called Caloplaca citrina?

Many current treatments place this species under the name Flavoplaca citrina. Older field guides and catalogues may still use Caloplaca citrina, so both names can refer to the same familiar yellow lichen.

Is Caloplaca citrina a leafy lichen?

It is primarily crustose, with a thallus tightly attached to the alkaline surface. Its yellow crust may have small lobed margins, but it does not form the broad leafy body of a foliose lichen.

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