Parmotrema perlatum

Parmotrema perlatum
	in Noordwijk, Netherlands
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Lecanoromycetes
Order:	Lecanorales
Family:	Parmeliaceae
Genus:	Parmotrema
Species:	P. perlatum
Binomial name
	Parmotrema perlatum; (Huds.) M.Choisy (1952)
Synonyms
	List Lichen perlatus Huds. (1762) ; Lobaria perlata (Huds.) Hoffm. (1796) ; Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach. (1803) ; Platysma perlatum (Huds.) Frege (1812) ; Platisma perlatum (Huds.) Frege (1812) ; Imbricaria perlata (Huds.) Körb. (1846) ; Lobaria perlata var. ciliata DC. (1805) ; Parmelia perlata var. ciliata (DC.) Duby (1830) ; Imbricaria perlata var. ciliata (DC.) Körb. (1846) ; Parmelia ciliata (DC.) Nyl. (1878) ; Parmelia crinita var. ciliata (DC.) Stizenb. (1882) ; Imbricaria ciliata (DC.) Arnold (1884) ; Parmelia perlata subsp. ciliata (DC.) Cromb. (1894) ; Parmelia perlata subvar. ciliata (DC.) Harm. (1897) ; Parmelia perlata f. ciliata (DC.) Boistel (1903) ; Parmelia urceolata f. ciliata (DC.) Jatta (1909) ; Parmelia trichotera f. ciliata (DC.) B.de Lesd. (1910) ; Parmotrema perlatum var. ciliatum (DC.) M.Choisy (1952) ; Parmelia coniocarpa Laurer (1827) ; Parmelia perlata var. innocua Wallr. (1831) ; Imbricaria perlata var. innocua Körb. (1855) ; Parmelia trichotera Hue (1898) ; Parmelia perlata subsp. trichotera (Hue) Boistel (1903) ; Parmelia perlata var. trichotera (Hue) Maheu (1907) ; Parmotrema trichoterum (Hue) M.Choisy (1952) ;

Parmotrema perlatum, commonly known as the powdered ruffle lichen, is a common species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution and occurs throughout the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Parmotrema perlatum is a prominent and widely recognised species within its genus across primarily temperate zones, preferring humid, oceanic-suboceanic habitats. It is found in diverse geographic areas including Africa, North and South America, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and islands in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is usually grows on bark, but occasionally occurs on siliceous rocks, often among mosses.

The thallus of Parmotrema perlatum is large, light-grey to pale-blue patch-shaped with rounded and ruffled lobes and often with black hair-cilia at the edges. Distinguishing features of the lichen include its conspicuous soralia (reproductive structures) near the lobe edges, curled leaf-like lobes, and a narrow, shiny, and sometimes wrinkly area on the underside near the margin. This species is known for producing certain secondary metabolites, namely atranorin and a group of substances known as the stictic acid complex, which includes stictic and constictic acids, among other related compounds. These morphological and chemical characteristics help distinguish P. perlatum from several other potential lookalikes.

Parmotrema perlatum has a complex taxonomic history, having undergone multiple reclassifications since its original description in 1762. Significant efforts in the mid-20th century helped clarify its nomenclature, stabilising its current name. Although there were challenges to this name in the 1980s, it was confirmed as valid in 2004. More recently, DNA studies suggest that there may be hidden diversity within the species, indicating the need for further taxonomic evaluation.

The lichen is used as a spice in Indian cuisine. For this purpose, it is commonly known as black stone flower or kalpasi (among other names). Although nearly tasteless on its own, it releases an earthy fragrance and taste when cooked in with oil or butter.

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