
geel speldenkussentje
Pertusaria flavida
Pertusaria flavida is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Pertusariaceae. First described in 1815, it is characterized by its distinctive pale to bright sulphur yellow or yellow-green-grey thallus with a cracked, warted surface.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertusaria_flavida
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Pertusariales
Family
Pertusariaceae
Genus
Pertusaria
geel speldenkussentje belongs to the family Pertusariaceae, order Pertusariales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Pertusaria flavida is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Pertusariaceae. First described in 1815, it is characterized by its distinctive pale to bright sulphur yellow or yellow-green-grey thallus with a cracked, warted surface. The lichen reproduces mainly through small spherical or cylindrical outgrowths called isidia, which occasionally break down into powdery structures, while fruiting bodies are very rare. It contains thiophaninic acid, giving it an orange fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Widespread throughout southern and eastern Britain, parts of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as mountainous regions of Spain and Portugal, P. flavida typically inhabits the bark of mature broad-leaved trees in well-lit environments such as open...
Pertusaria flavida, a crustose lichen species, faces severe decline primarily due to air pollution and habitat degradation. The species is highly sensitive to atmospheric pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds, which alter the chemical composition of its substrate and disrupt its symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
In the United Kingdom, this lichen species inhabits both smooth and rough bark of mature broad-leaved trees that receive abundant light, with a particular preference for older oak (Quercus) specimens. Its typical habitats include open woodlands, parkland, and trees situated along roadsides. The distribution pattern shows a strong presence throughout southern and eastern Britain, extending into...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Pertusaria flavida, a crustose lichen species, faces severe decline primarily due to air pollution and habitat degradation. The species is highly sensitive to atmospheric pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds, which alter the chemical composition of its substrate and disrupt its symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae.
Acid rain damaging bark substrate chemistry
Air pollution from industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust
Habitat loss due to urbanization and infrastructure development
Climate change altering temperature and humidity regimes
Forest management practices removing suitable host trees
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). geel speldenkussentje (Pertusaria flavida). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/geel-speldenkussentje