Parmotrema hypoleucinum

Foliose lichens (defined as being leafy with both upper and lower surface readily visible) are in the minority in Subtropical Florida. They are greatly outnumbered by crustose lichens where the lower surface is so tightly adhered to the substrate that it cannot be seen. This genus has several species that occur in our area and make up a large portion of our foliose lichens. This species has cilia (hair like appendages) that stick out from the margin edges. The lower surface periphery is white or tan but the interior portions become jet black.  Apothecia are almost never produced by this lichen.