About Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa (Tuck.) Hale
Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa, commonly called the tumbleweed shield lichen or ground lichen, is a foliose lichen belonging to the Parmeliaceae family. Unlike many lichens, it is not anchored to any substrate, and moves between locations when blown by the wind. This lichen grows in abundance on the High Plains of Wyoming. Its overall range includes intermountain regions of western North America, as well as Mexico. In the 1930s, this lichen was linked to poisoning events affecting domestic sheep and cattle in Wyoming. It was also connected to an elk poisoning incident in 2004. Navajo rug weavers use tumbleweed shield lichen to create dye. The Navajo have also used this lichen as a treatment for impetigo.
