309. Hammered Crottle

Crottles are a number of lichen species in the genus Parmelia .  They are the source of the reddish-brown and purple dyes that are used to dye tweed cloth in Scotland.  Parmelias are also sometimes called "Shield Lichens", parma is latin for shield and refers to the dimpled "hammered" appearance of some of these lichens - dimpled like a pounded piece of metal used to make a shield. Hammered Crottle is an abundant species of lichen here at Leaning Oaks.  It is at its most thickest growth on the twigs and branches of our Garry Oaks, where it is, no doubt, at constant war with the other species of lichen that adorn the branches.  Tonight we noticed small bits of Parmelia sulcatata growing on the backs of our cast aluminium deck chairs - this is an adaptable species indeed!

This is one of the species of lichens that often are found adorning the outsides of the nests of hummingbirds in our area, no doubt helping to camouflage the nests.