Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia is a pale grayish-green lichen forming large patches on rocks. Brownish apothecia (cup shaped structures easily visible bearing spores)with entire margins are usually present. Pycnidia (small pore-like flask shaped structures embedded in the thallus in which asexual spores are formed) are abundant. The medulla is yellow with KOH. Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia is one of the most common lichens in the Gila area.
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Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, growing on granite boulder, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, closeuop showing apothecia, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, closeuop showing marginal lobes, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, macro showing pycnidia, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, macro of apothecium, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, macro showing undersurface, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, cross sections of medulla yellow in KOH, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 22, 2018

Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia, cross section of apothecium with asci and paraphyses stained with crystal violet , photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, October 12, 2019