Dirinaria confusa is a crustose lichen species characterized by a yellowish-green to grayish thallus with rounded, dispersed areoles. It has apothecia that are immersed to slightly raised, with a pale yellow to brownish disc. In East and Central Texas, Dirinaria confusa typically grows on trees, particularly oak and cedar, and rocks in shaded to partially shaded areas. Its distribution is widespread in the region, with collections reported from various counties, including Bastrop, Brazos, and Travis. The lichen's morphology can be variable, but its chemistry, with the presence of atranorin and chloroatranorin, helps distinguish it from similar species.
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on bark of a hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 29, 2018
Close up of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on bark of a hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 29, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on one of trunks of a bush-like tree of huisache (Acacia minuata) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 29, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a dry(?) trunk of a bush-like tree of huisache (Acacia minuata) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 29, 2018
Close up of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a dry(?) trunk of a bush-like tree of huisache (Acacia minuata) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 29, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a tree in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Anderson, Texas, December 31, 2018
Close up of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a tree in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Anderson, Texas, December 31, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a hackberry(?) tree in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Anderson, Texas, December 31, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) near the base of a hackberry(?) tree in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Anderson, Texas, December 31, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) with large black apothecia near the base of a hackberry(?) tree in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Anderson, Texas, December 31, 2018
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on yaupon in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 6, 2019
Close up of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 6, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on an oak in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 12, 2019
Close up of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on an oak in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 12, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on yaupon holly in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 18, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on hackberry in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 23, 2019
Close up of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on hackberry in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 23, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) with black apothecia in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 23, 2019
Black apothecia of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 23, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on an oak(?) branch in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2019
Medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa on a tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2019
Medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa on an oak in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2019
Medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa on an old tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2019
Texture of medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa on an oak in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 17, 2019
Dirinaria confusa together with other lichens on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 17, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on a branch of "Liberty Oak" in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on bark of hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 2019
Apothecia of medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on bark of hackberry tree in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 2019
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on Liberty Oak in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 18, 2020
Lichen Dirinaria confusa(?) on bark of hackberry in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, November 3, 2020
Medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa with black apothecia on juniper bark in McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Austin. Texas, March 17, 2021
Close-up of medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa with black apothecia on juniper bark in McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Austin. Texas, March 17, 2021
Medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa on a juniper tree in McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Austin. Texas, March 17, 2021
Medallion lichen Dirinaria confusa with black apothecia on a juniper tree in McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Austin. Texas, March 17, 2021
Medallion lichen (Dirinaria confusa) on bark of a Mexican plum tree in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 24, 2021The Dirinaria confusa lichen was observed in East and Central Texas from December 2018 to March 2021. The species was found on various tree species, including hackberry, oak, yaupon, huisache, juniper, and Mexican plum. Observations were made in several locations, including Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Odd Fellow Cemetery, Lick Creek Park, and McKinney Roughs Nature Park. The lichen was often found on tree trunks and branches, with some observations noting the presence of black apothecia. The species appeared to be widespread and common in the region, with multiple sightings at different times of the year. The observations suggest that Dirinaria confusa is a relatively common and adaptable lichen species in East and Central Texas, able to thrive on a variety of tree species and in different environments.
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